Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery

Doctors use minimally invasive surgery to treat certain conditions of the foot and ankle.

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery uses smaller incisions than traditional open surgery. The result can be less pain, smaller scars, and fewer complications. It may be less expensive than traditional surgery.

At UPMC, our foot and ankle specialists take a nonsurgical approach when possible. But if you need an operation, our minimally invasive foot surgery options can help you get back on your feet faster.

What Is Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery?

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery is a technique for treating certain foot and ankle problems. Doctors use high-tech cameras and special surgical instruments to perform the procedures.

Surgeons make small incisions, or cuts, into the foot or ankle. These cuts are about 75% smaller than traditional incisions. They then insert a tiny camera called an arthroscope into the incision.

The arthroscope connects to a video monitor in the operating room. The surgeon can get a close-up view of your foot or ankle, allowing them to make the needed repairs.

Minimally invasive foot surgery and minimally invasive ankle surgery have become increasingly popular for several reasons:

• Faster recovery time.
• Less need for pain relief after surgery.
• Less pain.
• Less scarring and swelling.
• Lower risk of infection.
• Possible outpatient procedure.

Types of minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Your doctor can tell you if minimally invasive surgery is right for your specific condition.

Minimally invasive surgeries include:

• Bone cuts or fusions.
• Hammer toe surgery.
• Minimally invasive flat foot surgery.
• Surgery to reduce bunions.

Note: UPMC, along with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, does not support the practice of cosmetic foot and ankle surgery.

We do not perform the procedure known as “Cinderella surgery." This cosmetic foot surgery narrows the foot to give a more pleasing appearance or allow you to fit into specialized shoes.

We do offer Lapiplasty® for treatment of moderate to severe bunions. This procedure restores the foot to its normal alignment without cutting the bone. Doctors rotate the metatarsal bone back to proper alignment, then secure the joint with titanium plates.

Conditions we treat with minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Our doctors treat a wide range of foot and ankle conditions with minimally invasive procedures.

These include:

• Achilles tendon injuries.
• Arthritis.
• Bone spurs.
• Exercise-induced compartment syndrome.
• Flat feet.
• Fractures.
• Hammer toes.
• Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of your foot).
• Mild to moderate bunions.

Why Would I Need Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery?

If you have a foot or ankle condition that doesn’t respond to other treatments, minimally invasive surgery might be an option.

Our orthopaedic surgeons can treat injury, chronic inflammation, and damage to your foot or ankle. They can provide you with a treatment plan to help reduce your symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life.

Who’s a candidate for minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery?

We perform minimally invasive foot and ankle surgeries on all kinds of people. If you had a traumatic athletic injury, you may be a candidate. Or maybe you’re an older adult with a chronic foot problem like big toe arthritis.

If nonsurgical techniques have not improved your foot or ankle problem, surgery may be an option. Your doctor will talk to you about the pros and cons of minimally invasive foot surgery.

Alternatives to minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Before your doctor advises minimally invasive flat foot surgery, a bunionectomy, or any foot or ankle surgery, they will explore other options.

These might include:

• Activity modification.
• Braces.
• Corticosteroid injections.
• Custom orthotics in your shoes.
• Medication.
• Physical therapy.
• Walking boots.
• Weight loss.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery?

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery is generally very safe, but every surgery comes with some risks.

Possible complications include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Pain
• Swelling

What Should I Expect from Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery?

Your doctor will talk to you about how to get ready for your foot or ankle surgery. Some surgeries may be outpatient, meaning you will go home the same day. For others, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Here’s what to expect from minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.

Before: How to prepare for minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

To prepare for your recovery:

• Arrange your work schedule accordingly. You may need to work from home or wait until your doctor clears you to drive if you work in person.
• Get a shower stool for your bathroom.
• Have help with basic household tasks (cooking, cleaning) for a few days.
• Have a clear path from room to room. Clear clutter like loose rugs, toys, and cords off the floor.
• Make sure you have someone to drive you home.

The day of your surgery:

• Don’t eat or drink anything.
• Have someone with you to listen to your doctor’s instructions and drive you home.
• Wear loose, comfy clothing.

During your minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Depending on what kind of foot or ankle surgery you have, it may take 30 minutes to several hours.

A doctor or nurse will give you anesthesia, so you don’t feel pain during the procedure. It may be general (you’ll be asleep) or local (only your foot or leg will be numb).

The surgeon will make small cuts in the skin, then insert a tiny camera and special tools. (What kind of instruments will depend on your specific surgery.) The surgeon will look at video monitors to guide the tools.

They will make the cuts or repairs, remove the instruments, and close the incisions.

Recovery after minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

Once you get home, you will need to:

• Do any prescribed physical therapy exercises.
• Ice the affected area, following your doctor’s instructions.
• Keep your incision and bandages dry and clean.
• Protect your foot from getting wet when you bathe.
• Take your pain medication as prescribed.
• Use a walker or crutches to get around and keep weight off the affected foot. (You may also be in a walking boot.)
• When resting, keep your foot and ankle raised above the level of your heart.

When to call your doctor about minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery post-op complications

You should call your doctor right away if you have:

• A fever over 101° F.
• Blue or white toes or toenail beds.
• Excessive bleeding from the incision.
• Foul odor from the surgical site.
• Redness in the surgical site.
• Severe pain, especially in your calf.
• Severe swelling.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-05-27.