At our podiatry clinic, we understand that even small foot problems can have a big impact on your life. That was exactly the case for John Comry, a 76-year-old retired ski instructor and lifelong athlete from New Mexico who had been silently suffering from a painful toe deformity for years. Here’s how Dr. Foster’s minimally invasive foot surgery helped him regain his active lifestyle.

A Small Problem With a Big Impact

John lives in the mountains of northern New Mexico, where he enjoys hiking, skiing, golfing, and staying active at his local CrossFit gym. But for years, a small issue had been slowly getting worse: his little toe had begun curling under the adjacent toe.

“It had got to the point where I was effectively stepping on it, and it was very painful to walk,” he said.

When conservative options weren't helping, John began researching more permanent treatment options and discovered minimally invasive foot surgery. This technique involves very small incisions, minimal disruption to surrounding tissues, and a faster recovery — making it ideal for active older adults.

“I couldn’t find anyone in New Mexico who did it,” John explained. “Then I found Dr. Foster’s website. I was impressed with his involvement in professional associations and his approach to care.”

A Patient-Centered Experience

Despite living 12 hours away, he made the long drive to our office in Kansas City. When he finally arrived, he was met with compassion and flexibility. Even though it was late in the day, Dr. Foster met with him, evaluated his toe, and offered to perform a flexor tenotomy surgery that very evening.

“In a process that from beginning to end was no more than 30 minutes — 10 of which was waiting for the local anesthetic to take effect — they did this quite amazing surgery that is like a pinprick,” John said. “It was completely painless.”

The next morning, Dr. Foster showed him how to re-wrap the toe to support proper healing. By Friday afternoon, John was back on the road to New Mexico — walking without pain.

A Life-Changing Outcome

Since the procedure, John’s toe has remained straight, pain-free, and fully functional. He’s back to hiking, skiing, and doing all the things he loves. “I never had any pain and I never had any issues since. It feels like a perfectly normal foot again,” he said.

John also noted how cost-effective the procedure was — especially compared to other medical or dental work.

“The total cost was under $800, including the walking boot,” he added. “It was incredibly reasonable compared to what I’ve paid for other treatments.”

In reflecting on the entire process, John emphasized not only the technical success of the surgery but also the outstanding patient experience.

“Across the spectrum of medical care, this was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” he shared. “Dr. Foster is just an extremely easy man to talk to. If I ever needed anything done to my feet again, I’d make the 12-hour drive back without hesitation.”

 

 

We Provide Minimally Invasive Surgery Options In The Kansas City Area 

If you're seeking minimally invasive foot surgery to help with your unique pain or condition you should speak with an experienced Kansas City podiatrist as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Lee's Summit office directly at 816.246.4222 to schedule an appointment. We are proud to help people from throughout the Kansas City area and look forward to helping you.