MIS - Southern Illinois

Minimally Invasive Surgery Correction

At Southern Illinois Family Foot Care, Dr. Brian Lee, DPM, offers Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery (MIBS) — a modern alternative to traditional open surgery. Instead of making a large incision, Dr. Lee uses a few tiny openings just a few millimeters wide to gently realign the bone with the help of advanced X-ray guidance. This precise approach allows him to correct the bunion while minimizing pain, swelling, and scarring. Most patients enjoy a faster recovery and can get back on their feet more comfortably compared to conventional surgery.

The choice to pursue MIBS provides distinct advantages for our patients, leading to a much smoother and faster recovery experience. By minimizing trauma to the skin, muscles, tendons, and surrounding tissues, patients experience significantly less post-operative pain and swelling and a reduced need for strong pain medication. Furthermore, the aesthetic outcome is dramatically improved, as the incisions are nearly invisible once healed. Due to the reduced tissue disruption, patients can often begin bearing weight sooner and return to comfortable footwear and daily routines much faster than the typical recovery timeline for traditional open bunion correction.

What is the main difference between MIS and traditional bunion surgery?

Traditional surgery requires a long incision to fully expose the joint and bone. MIS, or Minimal Incision Surgery, corrects the bone through tiny incisions (percutaneously) using specialized instruments guided by real-time imaging, resulting in much less trauma to the surrounding soft tissues.

Will I be able to walk after the procedure?

Yes. Due to the less invasive nature of the procedure, many of our MIS patients are able to start bearing weight sooner after surgery, often in a specialized surgical shoe, compared to those who undergo traditional open surgery.

What are the key benefits of MIS compared to conventional surgery?

The primary benefits are significantly less post-operative pain and swelling, minimal scarring due to the small size of the incisions, and a quicker recovery time and return to athletic footwear.

How does the surgeon see what they are doing through such a small incision?

Dr. Lee uses a technique called intraoperative fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging) to visualize the bones and instruments throughout the procedure, ensuring every step of the correction is precise and accurate without needing to fully open the surgical site.

Will the results of MIS be as long-lasting as traditional surgery?

Yes, the goal of MIS is the same as traditional surgery: to achieve a complete, long-term correction of the bone alignment. Studies show that when performed correctly, Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery offers excellent and durable long-term results while providing a superior recovery experience.

Step Into Comfort—Expert Foot Care Starts Here

Whether you’re dealing with chronic foot pain, sports injuries, or diabetic foot issues, our board-certified specialists at SI Foot Care are here to help you move pain-free.