Minimally Invasive (MIS) Foot & Ankle Surgery
MIS may be the best treatment option for patients with foot and ankle pain who have not found relief from conservative treatment options. Penn Orthopaedics offers the latest minimally invasive techniques available for foot and ankle surgery.
In this video, Drs. Ndu and Boakye discuss what minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery is and how it differs from traditional surgery, the benefits of this procedure, and the many conditions it can be used to treat. We also hear from three patients who recount their personal experiences before and after minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.
Because they support our entire bodies, the feet and ankles are critical to almost everything we do. When a foot and ankle condition arises and impedes your ability to function, it can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life.
We evaluate and treat an extremely high volume of foot and ankle cases — more than 1,300 a year. From the most common to the most complex, Penn Orthopaedics specialists have seen it all.
We provide comprehensive, non-surgical and surgical treatment of the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. If you need a second opinion and require a complex revision surgery, such as a total ankle replacement or vascularized bone grafting, we use the most advanced technology to restore maximum function, minimize pain and ensure the quickest possible recovery.
Meet the team of experts who specialize in foot and ankle pain treatment
Personalized Foot and Ankle Care, from Start to Finish
We believe in a strong physician-patient relationship based on personalized attention and strong communication, with the goal of doing what is absolutely best for you. We comprehensively evaluate you as an individual, taking into account all of your unique needs, goals, personal preferences and lifestyle to develop a customized treatment plan. Together, you and your doctor(s) will come to a mutual decision regarding treatment and care.
This "whole person" approach to care, while engaging our patients in a shared decision-making process, allows us to reach the best possible outcome. We provide our patients with a multitude of options, so you are empowered to choose a treatment path that is best for you.
Depending on your condition or injury, there are many experts who may be involved in your treatment and care. Our specialists see a high volume of complex cases, and patients have easy access to all of the physicians needed to treat their condition. Our foot and ankle team is composed of specialists across multiple disciplines, including:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Orthoplastics
- Orthotists (brace makers)
- Physiatry
- Physical therapy
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
- Sports medicine
- Vascular medicine
Whether you are an all-star athlete, a weekend walker or a moderately active individual, it is our goal to restore you to your highest possible functioning. We provide an exceptional continuum of care for your foot and ankle condition — from diagnosis to treatment, all the way through rehabilitation and aftercare.
What Causes Foot Pain and Ankle Pain?
Foot and ankle pain is usually caused by trauma such as fracture, overuse or sprains. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms in your foot and/or ankle, you should be seen by one of our orthoapedic specialists for an evaluation:
- Decreased or painful range of motion
- Deformities
- Difficulty walking
- Inflammation
- Instability (ankle or foot giving way when attempting to walk)
- Numbness
- Pain
- Popping or snapping of joints
- Restriction in activity
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tingling
- Weakness
To evaluate for foot and ankle conditions, we offer all of the latest diagnostic tests and tools available, including:
- CT scans
- MRI
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
- Weight-bearing CT scan
Foot and Ankle Conditions Treated
Some of the foot and ankle conditions we treat include:
Foot and Ankle Treatments
The Penn Orthpaedics Foot and Ankle Program is comprised of physicians that perform surgical procedures to treat foot and ankle injuries and conditions:
- Tendon repairs of the foot and ankle
- Bunion correction
- Cartilage-sparing ankle arthroscopy of osteochondral talar dome lesions with retrograde drilling and bone grafting
- Minimally invasive (MIS) foot and ankle surgery
- STAR total ankle replacement for ankle arthritis (currently the only center in the region performing this unique technique)
- Surgical repair of foot and ankle deformities
Minimally Invasive (MIS) Foot & Ankle Surgery
Penn Orthopaedics has the only foot and ankle program in the region that offers the latest minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery available.
MIS may be the best treatment option for patients with foot and ankle pain who have not found relief from conservative treatment options. It can be used to treat a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, including Achilles tendinitis, arthritis, bunions, hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, and as a supplement to traditional open surgery for flat feet and high arches.
Compared to traditional open foot and ankle surgery, MIS provides patients with the following benefits:
- Smaller incisions
- Less blood loss
- Less scarring
- Less stiffness
- Less pain
- Faster healing
- Decreased risk for wound healing complications
- Improved outcomes
For these reasons, MIS can be especially beneficial for patients with diabetes, those with a significant history of keloids, and those concerned about the cosmetic aspect of surgery.
Patients who receive MIS foot and ankle surgery will usually be discharged the same day as their procedure.
Second Opinions for Foot and Ankle Conditions
Many patients come to Penn Orthopaedics for second opinions and revision surgeries for their foot and ankle condition. We specialize in performing all types of revision surgeries of the foot and ankle, including total ankle replacement and complex non-union surgical repair with vascularized bone grafting (for broken bones that have not healed properly).
Our orthopaedic surgeons treat the most difficult and complex foot and ankle conditions and have knowledge and expertise not found anywhere else in the region. In fact, we are known for pioneering new developments and technology in diagnosis, treatment and care that offers the best possible results.
Our team of expert orthopaedic specialists offers second opinions to any patient who has received an orthopaedic foot and ankle diagnosis.
Receive a Second Opinion.