Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery Rehab & Recovery Guide

Foot pain shouldn’t slow you down. Whether you want to get outside for a hike or simply run errands around town, having foot pain shouldn’t keep you from enjoying these activities. Many patients will undergo conservative care such as orthotics, injections, medications, or physical therapy, but what happens if these treatments fail you? If conservative care stops working, surgery may be your next option. Fortunately, with advances in technology, there are many procedures that can be done through minimally invasive surgery using small incisions, special instruments, and guidance from imaging. Learn more about minimally invasive foot surgery including which conditions can be treated and what to expect during recovery.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOOT SURGERY DEFINITION

What does minimally invasive foot surgery mean? Minimally invasive foot surgery uses very small incisions to perform surgery on bone and soft tissue throughout the foot. Instead of opening up the entire foot, surgeons will make small cuts into the skin and work through these “portals” using high speed burrs, small fixation implants, and live imaging to help guide their repair.

Having less soft tissue trauma typically allows patients to enjoy less swelling after minimally invasive surgery. Instead of larger incisions that need to be sutured back together, a minimally invasive technique involves small ports of entry that are often millimeters long.

COMMON FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED WITH MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOOT SURGERY

There are many forefoot and heel conditions that respond well to treatment with minimally invasive surgery. Bunions, hammertoes, metatarsalgia and certain causes of plantar fasciitis can all be treated percutaneously or with endoscopic guidance.

BURSOTOMY OR OSTEOECTOMY FOR A BUNION DEFORMITY

For bunions, small bone cuts can be made to realign the big toe while minimizing soft tissue trauma. These procedures are often performed with tiny incisions in the skin so patients can heal with little to no visible scarring.

HAMMERTOE AND MTP JAPOPITALY FIXATION USING PERCUTANEOUS TECHNIQUES

Tiny repairs can be made to correct deformities of the toes in a similar fashion. Less soft tissue trauma should mean less post-op pain and earlier recovery times.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE PLANTAR FASCIOTOMY OR TENOTOMY FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Patients who suffer from heel pain may also be candidates for surgery through a minimally invasive technique. Minimally invasive plantar fascia release can be a great option when more conservative treatment has failed.

SURGERY ACCESSORY TOOLKIT

While small incisions are one aspect of minimally invasive foot surgery, surgeons also utilize special tools and imaging to help guide their repairs.

Many contemporary procedures require specialized equipment to complete the repair percutaneously. High torque drills and percutaneous cutting plates allow surgeons to cut and reshape bone through small incisions.

PERCUTANEOUS GUIDANCE SYSTEM USED DURING MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY

Furthermore, portable imaging systems allow surgeons to see the foot during surgery. Fluoroscopic images allow surgeons to check their bone work during surgery without making a large incision.

RECOVERY FROM MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOOT SURGERY

Benefits of MIS Foot Surgery

While there are many benefits to minimally invasive foot surgery, every patient is different and you should talk to your doctor about whether or not this is right for you. Benefits of minimally invasive foot surgery can include:

• Smaller incisions

• Potentially faster recovery times

• Less post-op pain and narcotic use

• Decreased swelling

• Earlier weight bearing in many cases

• Potentially lower risk of infection

PATIENT SELECTION FOR MIS SURGERY

As with any surgical procedure, not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.

Patient selection depends on a variety of factors but typically includes patients who:

• Have deformities that are relatively mild and localized to one area of the foot

• Have healthy bone quality and are not medically complex

• Have expectations that are in line with what can realistically be achieved with surgery

Your medical history, vascular supply to your feet, diabetes management, and if you smoke will be reviewed prior to making you an appropriate candidate for foot surgery. Other imaging, like weight bearing X rays of your foot and ankle, may be obtained. In certain cases, an MRI or CT scan may be needed to help determine if you are a candidate for MIS surgery.

RECOVERY FROM MIS FOOT SURGERY

Every patient’s recovery is different but there are general things you can expect during your recovery from MIS foot surgery. You may be instructed to begin weight bearing or not depending on the procedure that is performed. For some patients, beginning weight bearing in a boot may be recommended. For others, you may have to go without weight bearing for a few days.

Swelling is normal during your recovery process and can last for several months. You will have follow up appointments to check on your incisions and you’ll change your dressings during these appointments. Physical therapy may be started several weeks after your procedure once your incisions have started to heal.

Your physical therapy will focus on regaining range of motion, strengthening your foot and ankle, and improving your balance. Since improper mechanics of your foot and ankle can contribute to pain, addressing these issues through biomechanical evaluation is critical to your recovery. Your surgeons at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute will perform this evaluation to identify any abnormalities in your gait that may be contributing to your injury.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MIS FOOT SURGERY

As with any type of surgery, there are risks associated with minimally invasive foot surgery. During your consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss these risks in detail prior to obtaining your informed consent.

Risks specific to minimally invasive surgery include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Nerve irritation

• Failure to correct deformity

• Need for revision surgery

Again, your surgeon’s experience and training with these techniques play a huge role in your safety and the success of your procedure.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive foot surgery is becoming more and more popular as technology advances. Special instruments allow surgeons to perform procedures through tiny incisions instead of making large cuts across the foot. Although there are many benefits to minimally invasive surgery, patients should be sure they understand what the recovery will entail and if they will truly benefit from this technique.

Wasatch Foot & Ankle offers numerous MIS procedures for the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. Please schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons if you would like to learn more about minimally invasive surgery as a treatment option.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: What is minimally invasive foot surgery?

A: Minimally invasive foot surgery is a technique that utilizes small skin incisions to perform surgery on the foot.

Q2: What foot problems can be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

A: Bunions, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, and heel pain are all foot problems that can be treated with minimally invasive techniques.

Q3: Is recovery quicker with minimally invasive foot surgery?

A: While many patients experience quicker early recovery after MIS foot surgery, everyone heals at different rates.

Q4: Is minimally invasive surgery safe?

A: Minimally invasive surgery can be safe; however, there are always risks to surgery. Your doctor will discuss these risks with you during your consultation.

Q5: How do I know if I’m a candidate for minimally invasive surgery?

A: Your doctor will perform a physical examination, obtain imaging studies, and discuss your medical history to determine if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.