An estimated 87% of people experience foot pain in their lifetimes. While most foot problems can be resolved with conservative care like rest, orthotics, and nonsurgical treatment, that’s not always the case.
Sometimes, only surgery can fix damaged bones, tendons, and other soft tissues that cause you pain. No one likes the thought of surgery, but there is some good news.
You could be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery: a method that offers fewer risks and shorter recovery times than traditional open surgery.
Bryon Butts, DPM, specializes in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery at Performance Footcare PC. He uses advanced techniques to treat some of the most common foot and ankle problems, and it could be the treatment you’re looking for.
Common reasons for minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery
Dr. Butts and our team offer minimally invasive surgery for a range of foot and ankle problems. Whether you’ve suffered a sports injury or your pain has developed gradually over time, minimally invasive surgery could offer relief.
Here are six of the most common reasons Dr. Butts recommends surgery to our patients.
1. Achilles tendonitis
Your achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf, and achilles tendonitis develops when the tendon gets inflamed. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling, and it’s a common injury among runners.
Severe achilles tendonitis may require surgery, and Dr. Butts specializes in minimally invasive TENEX® procedures. TENEX uses specialized tools to repair your tendon with less pain and downtime than traditional techniques.
2. Bunions
A bunion is a bony lump that forms at the base of your big toe. It starts small and gets bigger over time, and eventually causes significant foot pain and inflammation. Dr. Butts may recommend bunion surgery if you have significant pain after trying conservative treatment.
Minimally invasive bunion surgery involves making a few small incisions and removing the damaged parts of your big toe joint. Once the damage is gone, Dr. Butts realigns the bones, inserts pins or screws for stability, and closes the incisions.
3. Hammertoes
A hammertoe is a toe that’s very stiff or permanently bent in a clawed position. Hammertoes form when the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your feet are imbalanced, and they can cause significant pain and swelling.
If conservative care doesn’t relieve your hammertoe symptoms, minimally invasive surgery could offer a more permanent solution. Dr. Butts makes small incisions to access your toe joint, then straightens it out.
4. Ingrown toenails
An ingrown toenail develops when the side of your nail grows into the flesh around it. Ingrown nails are painful, and they can get infected easily. Many people find relief with nonsurgical treatment, but severe or recurring ingrowns may require surgery.
Ingrown toenail surgery is minimally invasive. Dr. Butts cuts away the part of your nail that’s ingrown and treats the area with an antimicrobial solution. Sometimes, he may remove a larger part of the nail or the whole nail.
5. Sprains and ankle instability
Ankle sprains are one of the most common orthopedic injuries. Sprains happen when the ligaments that hold your joint stretch too far outside their usual range of motion, causing ankle pain and weakness.
Mild sprains can heal with conservative care. But severe or recurring sprains can put you at risk of ankle instability and require minimally invasive surgery to protect your joint. In surgery, Dr. Butts repairs your ankle ligaments with minimally invasive techniques.
6. Warts
Warts are noncancerous growths. They start when a viral or bacterial infection enters your skin, and they’re very common on feet. Not all warts cause symptoms, but they can be tender, painful, and unsightly.
Most warts go away with nonsurgical treatment like CryoProbe™ freezing or Cantharidin® ointment. However, warts that are particularly large, deep, or stubborn may need surgery for permanent removal. Dr. Butts cuts away the wart and closes the incision with a few stitches.
If you need foot or ankle surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Butts to learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive techniques. Contact us online or call the office nearest you to get started.