Tiny Incisions, Big Help for Your Feet

May 31, 2025

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Thanks to advancements in foot and ankle surgery, podiatrists can now fix some problems using smaller cuts and fewer stitches in a procedure known as minimal incision surgery, or MIS.

“MIS has been a hot topic lately!” says Thomas Lyman, DPM, of William Newton Foot & Ankle. “It is primarily done with the intention to have smaller incisions, less scar tissue, and faster healing.”

Dr. Lyman, located at the Winfield Healthcare Center, strives to help patients stay active and offers various treatments, including shoe supports, injections, and shockwave therapy, as well as more comprehensive surgeries if needed.

More and more of Dr. Lyman’s patients prefer MIS because they don't need as much strong pain medicine afterward, in addition to reduced scarring and faster healing. With MIS, healing that used to take months can now take just weeks.

“Generally, there is less soft tissue damage and less pain,” says Lyman. “The big focus for me is to maximize the mobility of the joints in the foot for long-term function. By having smaller incisions and no screws or plates, you can get back on your feet faster.”

MIS can be used to treat common foot and ankle problems like:

• Bunions (bumps on the side of your big toe)
• Hammertoes (toes that bend in a strange way)
• Big toe arthritis (pain and stiffness in your big toe)
• Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of your foot)

Another benefit of MIS is that patients often do not have to wait as long to have the procedure. At William Newton Hospital, a procedure room in the H. L. Snyder Medical Foundation Surgery Center was added in 2023 for these types of surgeries. Some cases can also be done right in the doctor's office with just numbing medicine, without being "put to sleep."

Susan Meyer, who had minimal incision surgery in March, shared that her procedure was scheduled within one week. Six weeks later, she was back to her regular walks.

“The recovery was truly remarkable,” said Meyer. “I experienced very little pain and can honestly say the only pain medication I needed was some Tylenol! After six weeks, I transitioned to tennis shoes and was back to walking daily. Now, two months post-procedure, I have no pain, only a little swelling when I've been on my feet for longer periods.”

Your podiatrist will check your health to make sure MIS is the right option.

Dr. Lyman explains, “In most cases, anyone who is a candidate for regular surgery is a candidate for MIS. We can offer MIS to some patients who have higher risk factors and cannot undergo anesthesia.”

Cowley County is fortunate to have two practicing podiatrists, giving patients options close to home. If you’re experiencing any foot and ankle issues, it's important to talk to a foot doctor to determine the best way to treat your concern.