Are You a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Foot or Ankle Surgery? Our Team of Lancaster SC Podiatrists Will Discuss All Your Options
You had hoped your foot or ankle problem could be solved with physical therapy, shoe inserts, padding, or a brace. However, you have been told that the only effective and permanent solution is surgery. Your fear of surgery is making you consider just living with the pain. The thought of being in the hospital, undergoing anesthesia, being cut open, and having a long recovery is just too much to bear.
Happily, on that front, we have some good news: When it comes to correcting a whole range of foot issues, minimally invasive surgery might be an option for you. These simple procedures are often extremely effective in relieving pain and promoting healing with a much shorter recovery time.
What Is Minimally Invasive Surgery?
When you think about a traditional surgery, you probably imagine sizeable incisions—cuts made in your body to allow your doctor to get to the problem areas that need correcting. Oftentimes, you end up with a permanent reminder of your surgery in the form of a substantial scar. But the whole idea behind minimally invasive surgery is that any necessary incisions can be much, much smaller. Specialized instruments and devices allow for surgery to be performed without the need for large cuts.
Small incisions lead to big benefits, including:
- Minimal blood loss during the surgery
- Minimal post-operative pain and lower risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stays (in some cases, a hospital stay may not be required at all)
- Quicker recovery and return to work and other normal activities
- Small surgery scars
Your podiatrist will decide if you are a candidate for this type of procedure and will explain the risks and benefits.
Which Foot Conditions Can Be Addressed Via Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery options are available for a range of foot issues. Often, it depends on how advanced your condition is. Some conditions that might be treated with minimally invasive surgery include:
- Hammertoes and other toe deformities
- Ankle and big toe arthritis
- Bunions and metatarsalgia
- Flat feet
- A ruptured Achilles tendon
Other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and some fractures, may also be candidates for specialized, less-invasive procedures.
Additional Information About Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery
We should note that minimally invasive foot surgery is not always the best option. Traditional surgery may be necessary for some patients and for some conditions. Your podiatrist can make the best recommendation for your specific needs.
If a minimally invasive approach is appropriate, however, there are a couple of additional things to note:
- Minimally invasive surgery may be performed under general or regional anesthesia. The best course of action depends on the specific condition and circumstances.
- The risks associated with minimally invasive surgery are similar to those associated with more traditional surgical approaches.
Again, your podiatrist will be able to make a strong recommendation about the foot problems you are facing. After making a diagnosis, your doctor will be able to discuss options with you with the goal of getting your problem solved quickly and completely with as short a recovery time as possible so that you can get back to your active lifestyle. As we have indicated, in many cases, minimally invasive surgery may provide the best option for accomplishing these goals.
InStride Can Help You Get Your Stride Back
If you are having foot or ankle problems and have been putting off seeing someone about them, we encourage you to stop waiting. After all, you want to get back to the activities you love—and you don’t want to wait for things to get worse before you get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The doctors at InStride Carolina Podiatry Group have the expertise and experience needed to identify problems and solutions to those problems. They will go over all of your options, including, when appropriate, minimally invasive surgical options.
Don’t wait to get the relief you need to start enjoying day-to-day life free from foot pain. Contact us today for an appointment.
