Many foot and ankle problems can be treated conservatively with noninvasive options like physical therapy, rest, and bracing. But sometimes, surgery is necessary to restore the damaged area and improve your mobility and function. Kevin Blue, DPM, FACFAS, Derek Ley, DPM, AACFAS, and the team are well-versed in performing foot and ankle surgery. They provide preop evaluations in patients at Colorado Foot + Ankle Sports Medicine, located in Parker, Colorado, and consider their individual needs so they can recommend the optimal approach to help them heal and recover as quickly as possible.
Foot and ankle surgery is performed only when more conservative treatment options have been attempted and have failed to provide you with long-term relief for pain and other symptoms, or in cases where your injuries are too severe or too complex for conservative approaches to be considered in the first place (such as a complex fracture). Prior to surgery, you’ll have X-rays and sometimes other diagnostic imaging exams to help Dr. Blue determine if surgery is the best option for you and to help plan the surgery if needed.
Dr. Blue has specialized training in reconstruction procedures for the feet and ankles, including surgery to repair damage from:
Plus, he’s skilled in performing surgery to correct an array of foot- and ankle-related conditions like:
Arthroscopic surgery is a type of minimally-invasive surgery that uses a special instrument called an arthroscope, which is equipped with a tiny camera. Once the arthroscope is inserted through a small incision, the camera takes real-time pictures and video of the injury site, transmitting the data back to a monitor. The surgeon views the monitor and guides the surgery using the images on the screen to place and manipulate surgical instruments.
Minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic surgery are associated with less tissue damage, less bleeding, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgical approaches that rely on much larger incisions. Because less tissue is damaged during minimally invasive surgeries, patients also report far less discomfort and a much faster return to normal activities following their surgery.
Your recovery will depend on the type of surgery you’re having. Some types of surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis while others will require hospitalization for a day or two. In some cases, Dr. Blue may apply a cast, brace, or surgical boot to your foot following surgery to help stabilize the area and support optimal healing. Physical therapy will begin soon afterward to help you regain mobility and strength. Over time, you’ll gradually return to your regular activities.
"Extremely knowledgeable about foot and ankle conditions. Wonderful doctor, great office and staff, would recommend his services to anyone."
"Dr. Blue has great bedside manner and is a great surgeon as well. He has cared for many of my patients, friends and co-workers and the feedback is always excellent."
"I was lucky enough to be referred to Dr. Blue and he was able to come up with a treatment plan that has cleared up my gout issues and has given me a new hop in my step."
"I am very selective about the doctors I see, so I chose Dr. Blue based on his reviews and certifications. Dr. Blue is thorough and detailed oriented."
