Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery

Discomfort from bunions and tendon pain doesn’t have to slow you down. More and more patients are getting relief with minimally invasive procedures like the ones you’ll find at Henry Ford.

Our team of surgeons has years of experience using these techniques. We can help you return to the activities that are important to you after just a short recovery. Our program’s history of superior results is helping more people live pain-free.

Types of minimally invasive orthopedic surgery we offer

Minimally invasive procedures we offer include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a procedure to repair soft tissue tears in the knee.
• Bunionectomy corrects bunions, which are bony bumps that can cause your big toe to curve abnormally. Read more about minimally invasive bunion surgery.
• Debridement removes scar tissue and promotes healing in tendons and other tissue. Find out more about the Tenex procedure for tendon pain and plantar fasciitis.
• Stem cell treatment targets certain forms of chronic pain with injections of your own bone marrow cells to promote healing.
• Wide awake hand surgery is an innovative technique for treating common without putting you to sleep.
• Wrist and elbow arthroscopic surgery evaluates stubborn symptoms when imaging studies do not clearly show what the issue may be.

Benefits of minimally invasive orthopedic surgery

Traditional surgery involves large incisions that disrupt healthy tissue. Minimally invasive techniques use smaller incisions. Sophisticated instruments and real-time imaging enable surgeons to do procedures without damaging healthy tissue.

Benefits of this approach include:

• Less pain: Most patients experience less discomfort immediately after surgery and throughout recovery. Prescription pain medications are often not necessary, which makes it easier to resume daily activities.
• Excellent cosmetic outcomes: Smaller incisions lead to smaller scars, many of which fade over time. Some scars are hardly visible after healing is complete.
• Better range of motion: Minimally invasive techniques cause less scar tissue and joint stiffness. This makes it easier to resume activities, including possibly walking immediately after your procedure.
• Fewer treatments: With minimally invasive surgery, you’re less likely to need physical therapy. And because symptoms typically do not return, you can discontinue nonsurgical therapies.
• Quicker recovery time: Minimally invasive procedures are less disruptive to healthy tissue, making it easier to recovery quickly. Depending on the type of procedure, you may feel better within days of surgery.

Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery at Henry Ford: Why choose us?

Henry Ford is home to one of Michigan’s foremost orthopedic and podiatric surgery programs. Minimally invasive procedures are part of our commitment to delivering leading care close to home. You get relief from procedures that are gentler on your body and require less recovery time.

Highlights of our program include:

• Leadership: Our team includes some of the nation’s first surgeons trained in minimally invasive foot and ankle techniques. We offer a depth of experience that’s not widely available in the region. Our experts also train other surgeons on these techniques.
• Quality: Minimally invasive procedures reflect the same high-quality care you’d expect at Henry Ford. Our careful attention at every turn helps you have outstanding results and a quicker recovery.
• Value: Some treatments, like the Tenex procedure for tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow, are available during an office visit. Performing them in our procedure room instead of the operating room lowers your out-of-pocket expenses. And we work with your insurance to get any necessary authorization, so you can focus on feeling better.
• Efficiency: Minimally invasive techniques take significantly less time to complete than traditional open procedures. You can go home sooner. And with smaller incisions, there’s a lower risk of complications, like infections.