FORT FRANCES – After the first minimally invasive surgical foot procedure performed anywhere in Northwestern Ontario, the patient walked out of the hospital on their own with no cast, crutches or assistance required.
That’s “a scenario unimaginable with the traditional approach” to forefoot surgery, said Diana Harris, La Verendrye General Hospital’s chief nursing executive.
This advanced procedure, led by Thunder Bay-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tina Lefrancois, utilized small incisions and state-of-the-art techniques to perform a metatarsophalangeal joint fusion.
It was a milestone emblematic of the Fort Frances hospital’s “commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our patients by adopting the latest in medical innovation,” said Henry Gauthier, president of Riverside Health Care, which runs La Verendrye General.
The joint fusion procedure was done to treat arthritis in a big toe, a condition that causes pain, swelling, and difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Bones were fused together permanently so they don’t rub against each other and cause pain.
Unlike traditional open surgeries requiring large incisions and prolonged recovery with limited mobility, the minimally invasive procedure is performed through tiny incisions, thus minimizing disruption to soft tissues so that the patient experiences less pain and swelling.
The approach “opens new possibilities for how we treat foot conditions in our district,” Harris said.
“This success underscores just how much we care about bringing the best, most advanced care to our community.”
Minimally invasive procedures offer significant benefits for patients with diabetes and other conditions that make recovery difficult by lowering the risk of infections and wound-healing complications, Riverside spokesperson Kathryn Pierroz said.
“At Riverside, we are continually seeking ways to improve and expand the quality of care available to those we serve,” Gauthier said in a news release.
“Innovations like these not only enhance patient outcomes but also strengthen our commitment to making high-quality, specialized care accessible close to home.”
