Minimally Invasive Surgery

At Peninsula Podiatry, we are able to offer many procedures using minimally invasive surgery techniques. Minimally invasive surgery allows your surgeon to use specific surgical techniques that limit the size and number of incisions they need to make during a surgical procedure. As a result, your surgeon can perform surgery without cutting into a lot of skin and muscle.

Surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery have very specialized training in addition to the traditional open surgery training obtained by podiatric surgeons. These surgeries involve specialized instruments and skills to perform the operation through smaller incision sites.

Are you a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery in the foot?

Most patients with painful bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, forefoot calluses/deformities or heel pain are excellent candidates for this surgical approach. Even in patients with diabetes, where typical open surgery would put them at a high risk of infection and delayed healing, minimally invasive surgical techniques decrease those risks significantly. Additionally, because the procedures can typically be performed with minimal sedation or even local anesthetic, those patients with higher anesthesia risks are good candidates as well. 

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery offers patients several benefits including:

  • Minimal pain after surgery
  • Small incisions with almost no scarring
  • Immediate weight bearing in specialized shoe for 4 weeks
  • Same-day surgery – no overnight hospital stays
  • Significantly decreased infection rates
  • Faster return to work
  • Able to be performed in an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Is minimally invasive surgery safe?

Minimally invasive surgery is less risky than traditional surgery because the surgical techniques require smaller surgical incisions. With state-of-the-art equipment, surgeons can perform procedures more safely, less invasively, and more precisely.

How is minimally invasive surgery performed?

Many minimally invasive surgeries are performed using fluoroscopy to visualize the internal bones and tissues. Through a small 2-3mm incision, the surgeon will insert tiny scalpel blades, burrs, and other specialized instruments and perform the surgery while using the fluoroscopy equipment. The use of tiny surgical instruments allows the surgeon to operate effectively with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues and structures. 

What conditons can be treatment with minimally invasive surgery?

Conditions that can be treated with minimally invasive surgery include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Painful ball of foot calluses
  • Corns
  • Neuromas
  • Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis

Contact Us

Our foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Sarah Neitzel, has been in practice for over 7 years and is a well-know expert in her field with a record of excellence. She chose to focus her training and practice on minimally invasive surgery and is pleased to offer her patients surgical treatments that address their concerns while minimizing surgery pain and returning patients to their daily activities quickly. Not every problem requires surgery with a big incision and a long recovery time!

Dr. Neitzel’s practice emphasizes custom-designed treatment plans for her patients that highlight a conservative approach. For this reason, when surgery is necessary, Dr. Neitzel is able to offer surgical options with this specialized technique. Her approach is not what you find in typical, high volume offices–in every case, she puts a strong emphasis on education and communication for better patient outcomes.

If you are interested in exploring and discussing minimally invasive surgical options for foot and ankle conditions, give us a call at (360) 286-0404 to set up a consultation with Dr. Neitzel.