At Stride Forward Podiatry, we have built our practice around one core mission: delivering state-of-the-art minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery that helps patients recover faster, experience less pain, and return to the activities they love.
Our Boca Raton Center of Excellence specializes in modern surgical techniques that utilize tiny incisions, specialized instrumentation, and advanced imaging technology to address a wide range of foot and ankle conditions while minimizing tissue disruption.
Led by double board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Martha Holzworth, our program focuses exclusively on evidence-based treatments designed to improve patient outcomes and enhance recovery.
Unlike traditional practices where minimally invasive procedures are only occasionally performed, minimally invasive foot surgery is a primary focus of our practice.
We have invested in advanced surgical training, specialized instrumentation, and modern treatment protocols that allow us to offer patients innovative alternatives to traditional open surgery whenever appropriate.
Our Center of Excellence utilizes:
Our minimally invasive surgical program offers treatment options for:
Not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Holzworth will determine whether a minimally invasive, traditional, or non-surgical treatment approach is most appropriate.
When you choose minimally invasive surgery at Stride Forward Podiatry, you can expect:
For older adults, maintaining independence starts with mobility. Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery (MIFAS) offers a modern, tissue-sparing alternative to traditional open procedures, specifically designed to get seniors back on their feet faster. By using “keyhole” incisions and specialized micro-instruments, we can correct common conditions like bunions, hammertoes, and heel spurs without the significant trauma associated with larger surgical openings. This approach is particularly beneficial for the geriatric population, as it minimizes physical stress on the body and preserves the integrity of delicate muscles and tendons.
One of the primary concerns for seniors undergoing surgery is the healing process. Because minimally invasive techniques involve significantly smaller incisions, there is a reduced risk of wound complications and post-operative infections, a critical factor for patients with age-related skin fragility or circulatory issues like diabetes. Furthermore, because the surgical site is less disturbed, many patients experience less post-operative pain and swelling, leading to a much more comfortable recovery period in the safety and familiarity of their own homes rather than a rehabilitation facility.
Perhaps most importantly, minimally invasive foot and ankle care supports earlier weight-bearing and movement. For seniors, even short periods of inactivity can lead to muscle atrophy and balance issues; by allowing for faster rehabilitation, these techniques help prevent the “downward spiral” of immobility. By restoring proper foot alignment and function with minimal downtime, we help our patients maintain their strength, balance, and quality of life. At Stride Forward, we prioritize these advanced techniques to ensure our senior patients can continue walking, standing, and living without chronic foot pain.
We understand that surgery is a significant decision, especially for our senior patients. Our practice is uniquely equipped to handle the complexities of geriatric podiatry, including the management of surgery for patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or arthritis. By choosing a specialist who understands the nuances of aging bone and skin, you are choosing a safer surgical path. We utilize advanced diagnostic imaging and real-time fluoroscopy to ensure pin-point precision during every “keyhole” procedure, significantly reducing the risks associated with traditional open surgery.
At Stride Forward Podiatry, we don’t just perform the surgery, we optimize the entire recovery journey. We are proud to offer Class IV Laser Therapy and other regenerative medicine options to accelerate tissue repair and eliminate post-operative swelling. This commitment to advanced podiatric technology means our patients often experience:
Less dependence on pain medication through non-invasive laser treatments.
Virtually invisible scarring due to our meticulous micro-incision techniques.
Minimal downtime, allowing you to stay active and independent.
Choosing Stride Forward Podiatry means choosing a partner in your foot health. From your initial consultation to your final follow-up, our team provides clear communication and a supportive environment. We handle the complexities of Medicare and insurance coverage for you, so you can focus entirely on your recovery. If you are looking for the best foot surgeon for minimally invasive procedures, look no further. We are dedicated to helping you “stride forward” into a life free from foot pain.
Minimally invasive techniques offer particular safety advantages for older adults. These procedures have decreased complications associated with foot surgery, making surgical intervention viable for many elderly patients. For example, in patients over 60 undergoing minimally invasive hallux valgus correction, significant clinical improvement was achieved with VAS scores decreasing from 5.19 to 0.47 and AOFAS scores improving from 46.11 to 83.46 at one year. For ankle fractures in patients 65 and older, minimally invasive intramedullary fibular nailing showed lower total complication rates (15%) compared to plate fixation (33%), despite the nailed cohort having higher mean age and comorbidity burden.
Recovery time for elderly patients after minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery varies by procedure location, with forefoot and midfoot procedures allowing weight-bearing from the day of surgery, while hindfoot and ankle procedures typically require 6-12 months for full functional recovery.
Weight-bearing timeline differs significantly by anatomical location. Current minimally invasive techniques for forefoot and midfoot joint reconstruction permit immediate or early weight-bearing from the day of surgery. Most hindfoot and ankle surgeries now allow early weight-bearing through arthroscopic approaches with minimal bone resection. However, elderly patients take significantly longer to recover walking levels compared to middle-aged patients, even with similar procedures
Patients with diabetes or poor circulation require careful preoperative vascular assessment and multidisciplinary management, but minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery is not contraindicated when appropriate precautions are taken.
One of the primary goals of minimally invasive ankle and foot surgery is to keep patients out of the hospital. These are typically outpatient procedures, meaning you can return home the same day. Because recovery is less intensive than “open” surgery, most patients can recover comfortably at home with minimal assistance, preserving their privacy and independence.
Generally, if the surgery is deemed medically necessary to treat pain, deformity (like severe bunions), or loss of function, it is covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. Our office can help you verify your benefits and provide a clear understanding of your coverage before we schedule any procedure.
If the surgery is on your left foot and you drive an automatic vehicle, you may be able to drive within a few days once you are no longer taking prescription pain medication. For surgery on the right foot, most patients can return to driving in 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the procedure and how quickly they transition out of a surgical boot.
Scars after minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery (MIFAS) are significantly smaller and less visible than those from open surgery, with incisions typically measuring 1-2 cm or less compared to 5 cm or more for traditional open procedures.
Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery (MIFAS) produces clinical and radiographic outcomes that are generally equivalent to open surgery, with similar functional scores, correction angles, and complication rates across most procedures.
Minimally invasive foot surgery is most commonly performed under local or regional anesthesia, particularly peripheral nerve blocks, with ankle blocks and popliteal sciatic nerve blocks being the most frequently used techniques. These approaches can serve as primary anesthesia or be combined with light sedation or general anesthesia.
Patients undergoing minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery typically experience moderate pain in the first few days, with VAS scores averaging 4-5 out of 10 on postoperative day 3, which progressively decreases to minimal pain (VAS 1-2) by 6 weeks. Importantly, minimally invasive techniques result in significantly less pain than open surgery during the first 1-2 weeks.
At Stride Forward Podiatry, we utilize Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)—also known as photobiomodulation—as a powerful, non-invasive tool to support your healing after surgery. This “cold laser” technology works at a cellular level, stimulating your body’s natural repair processes without generating heat or discomfort. For our senior patients, this means the laser acts as a natural pain reliever by calming the nerves and encouraging the release of the body’s own healing compounds. By reducing the chemical triggers that cause soreness, laser therapy often allows patients to recover with less reliance on oral pain medications.
Beyond simply managing discomfort, laser therapy is a “bio-stimulant” that significantly improves the quality of wound healing. The specific wavelengths of light used in our clinic penetrate deep into the foot and ankle tissues to reduce swelling and inflammation right at the source. This process encourages faster cellular turnover, helping your skin and internal tissues knit back together more efficiently. By precisely controlling the “dose” of light energy delivered to the surgical site, we can create the optimal environment for a steady, comfortable, and successful recovery, helping you get back to your favorite activities sooner.
Yes, patients can typically walk immediately after minimally invasive bunion surgery. Most protocols allow immediate postoperative weight-bearing in a protective shoe or boot, which is a significant advantage over traditional open techniques.
Weight-bearing protocols for minimally invasive bunion surgery are notably permissive.
Several minimally invasive (non-surgical) options exist for chronic plantar fasciitis, with evidence supporting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for long-term pain relief, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for broad efficacy, and ultrasound-guided Minimally Invasive Fasciotomy for refractory cases.
In the past, many severe foot deformities were treated by “fusing” the joints together to stop pain. While effective, this often resulted in a permanent loss of flexibility. Today, at Stride Forward Podiatry, we utilize percutaneous extra-articular osteotomies, a sophisticated, minimally invasive technique that corrects the bone alignment outside of the joint itself. This approach allows us to straighten your foot while entirely avoiding joint fusion. Clinical studies have shown that patients undergoing this procedure experience a dramatic improvement in foot function and a significant reduction in daily pain.
Yes, minimally invasive surgery can effectively correct tailor’s bunion (bunionette), with the fifth ray considered “the ideal indication for percutaneous surgery” given the simplicity of the procedure, high reliability, and very low complication rates. Multiple techniques achieve excellent outcomes with 97% patient satisfaction and VAS pain improvement from 7.6 to 0.6.
Delaying foot surgery carries several risks, including worse patient-reported outcomes, increased pain, progressive deformity that may require more extensive surgery, and, in acute injuries, higher infection rates.
Don’t let foot and ankle pain hold you back. Discover how our minimally invasive surgical suite can help you move forward with confidence. Contact Stride Forward Podiatry today to schedule your consultation and learn more about our innovative treatments.
Together, we’ll help you stride forward to a healthier, more active life.
