Minimally Invasive Surgery

The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute -  - Foot and Ankle Surgeon

The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute

Foot and Ankle Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist serving North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, and surrounding Los Angeles, CA areas

When your foot injury or condition needs surgical repair, chances are you’re a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery. With a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute serves the North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, Agoura Hills, and surrounding Los Angeles, CA area, providing exceptional surgical care for traumatic injuries, urgent fractures, and a full scope of foot conditions. If you live in the Greater Los Angeles area and need skilled and compassionate care for your feet, call the office or request an appointment online today.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Q & A

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery refers to a technique that repairs your foot or ankle problem using a tiny incision and specially designed instruments that fit through the tiny cut.

The primary instrument is a narrow scope. The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute uses an arthroscope for joint surgery and an endoscope for minimally invasive procedures outside the joints. Both scopes contain a light and a fiber-optic video camera that sends magnified images to a monitor.

When repairing tissues, The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute providers may insert instruments through the scope or make an additional small incision to accommodate the tools needed to complete your surgery.

When would I need minimally invasive surgery?

The initial treatment for most foot conditions follows a conservative approach. You may need exercises, bracing, custom insoles, or immobilization to give you a few examples. In some cases, The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute may recommend an injection containing steroids, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or stem cells.

When your pain persists, or the condition gets worse, you may need surgery. The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute repairs most foot and ankle conditions using minimally invasive surgery, including:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Bunions
  • Bone spurs
  • Flat feet
  • Arthritis
  • Heel spurs
  • Hammertoe
  • Neuromas
  • Nerve entrapment
  • Some fractures
  • Ankle instability
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Tendon and ligament injuries

The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute typically performs minimally invasive surgery as an outpatient procedure.

What procedure might I receive during minimally invasive surgery?

The team at The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute skillfully performs a vast range of surgical techniques, including:

  • Bone fusions
  • Tendon repair or transfer
  • Ligament reconstruction
  • Bone straightening (osteotomy)
  • Wound cleaning
  • Internal fixation

Though The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute often uses minimally invasive surgery to repair many injuries, deformities, and conditions, not everyone is a good candidate. For example, the complexity of some fractures and dislocations may require traditional surgery.

Does minimally invasive surgery provide health benefits?

Minimally invasive surgery causes less trauma. As a result, you have:

  • Less bleeding
  • Less post-surgery pain
  • Lower risk of infection or blood clots
  • Minimal or no scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Quicker return to normal activities

Another benefit of minimally invasive podiatric surgery is that you only need local anesthesia or a nerve block that numbs your foot and ankle.

To learn more about minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, call the offices of The Foot and Ankle Sports Institute or request an appointment online today.