Overview
MIS ( Minimal Invasive Surgery) in St. Augustine is an in-office surgical procedure that is cosmetically pleasing as there are little to no scar due to the very small incisions. In fact, most of the wounds does not need sutures. There is typically less discomfort postoperatively due to the small amount of soft tissue that is disrupted compared to traditional surgery. This unique surgery has been around for over 60 years and has proven effective without fixation. Dr. Rodriguez and staff specialize in this type of office surgery, and have been pioneering such for 20+ years in St. Augustine and surrounding communities.
Disadvantages of Traditional Foot Surgery
- Large Incisions
- Extensive Dissection – Can cause nerve injury, large scars, stiffness, and vascular disruption
- Internal fixation to correct foot and ankle pathology
- Longer recovery time and more post operative pain and swelling.
- Longer restriction of motion causing muscle atrophy.
- Reduce patient mobility which disrupts physical activity and can lead to disruption in cardiovascular health
- Procedure is done in a hospital setting with general anesthesia or MAC
Disadvantages of General Anesthesia
General anesthesia comes with a risk of heart attack, stroke, lung infection and cognitive dysfunction.
Risks are greater in smokers, geriatrics and people who are overweight.
Older patients generally have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and history of stroke
or other neurologic disorders. The risks of general anesthesia become exponential in this population.
This group will often benefit from smaller incision sites for faster wound healing and significantly
benefit from MIS correction.
MIS (Minimal Invasive Surgery) Advantages
- Local Anesthesia
- Minimal to no dissection: Less postoperative complications due to nerve injury, less scar tissue and stiffness, less vascular disruption, and much more aesthetically pleasing scars.
- Decreased recovery time, and patients are ambulating from surgery, keeping the patient active, reducing cardiovascular complications.
- More economic for the patient and insurance companies, since the patient does not have to go to the hospital.
- Able to wear regular shoes and go back to do activities of daily living sooner.
- Safer procedure on elderly patients and complicated patients like diabetic patients.
- Better outcomes with patients with peripheral arterial disease.
- Less possibility of post-operative infection.
- No need for internal fixation.
MIS disadvantages
The patient is awake and can get nervous with the noise of the drilling equipment.
Common MIS procedures
- Percutaneous Plantar Fasciectomy ( for Heel Pain )
- Flexor Tenotomy ( Hammer toe correction )
- Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening ( to increase ankle mobility and decrease pressure on forefoot )
- Metatarsal Head Osteotomy ( great to help alleviate pressure ulcers of the plantar forefoot )
Conclusion
MINIMALLY INVASIVE FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY offers a safer and less invasive surgical option for permanently resolving and preventing recurrence on chronic ulcerations in a population of patients that might otherwise not be optimal for traditional surgery and can not tolerate extended periods of disability.
Interested in Minimal Invasive Surgery in St. Augustine? Call our office today @ 904-823-3301 to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.
