Restore the natural shape and function of your foot
You shouldn’t have to choose between how your foot looks, how it feels, and how long recovery takes. Our approach is designed to improve all three—without putting your life on hold.
Start with a brief 15-minute screening to see if this approach is right for you. No obligation.
Prefer to schedule in person consultation now? Call our surgical coordinator at (224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Most patients aren’t just looking for pain relief.
They want:
- a foot that looks normal again
- to wear the shoes they want
- to move comfortably without thinking about it
But lasting results don’t come from appearance alone.
They come from correcting structure and guiding how your body heals.
Why Traditional Foot Surgery Often Falls Short
- Weeks off your feet
- Permanent implanted hardware
- Large scars
- Difficulty driving
- Time away from work or daily responsibilities
- A recovery process that feels unpredictable and uncomfortable
Most surgeons focus on the procedure.
We focus on how your foot looks, functions, and heals long-term.
Our PRISM™ system is designed to address the full outcome:
- precise correction
- faster, more comfortable recovery
- results that look and feel natural
A Different Surgical Experience Starts With a Different Philosophy
Our approach begins with a highly specific form of precision minimally invasive surgery married to advanced recovery: designed to minimize disruption — creating a fundamentally different recovery experience.
This often means:
- Less postoperative pain
- Less swelling and inflammation
- Minimal visible scarring
- A more comfortable early recovery
And allows many patients to:
- Walk immediately after surgery
- Avoid crutches
- Stay mobile throughout recovery
Start with a brief 15-minute screening to see if this approach is right for you. No obligation.
Prefer to speak directly? Call our surgical coordinator at (224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Precision Minimally Invasive Reconstruction
Integrated Healing
A Recovery Experience Designed Around Your Life
Most foot surgery focuses on the procedure.
We built a system that focuses on the outcome.
We built a system that focuses on the outcome.
The PRISM™ Reconstruction System
A More Complete Approach to Recovery
The goal is simple:
- More comfortable recovery
- More efficient healing
- Reducing risks and more predictable outcomes
- Minimizing disruption of tissues and life
This helps support:
- Reduced inflammation and swelling
- Improved comfort during recovery
- Quicker return to daily activity
- Improved cosmetics
Minimally invasive surgery allows you to get moving early.
PRISM™ unlocks your options for a better, faster, and more comfortable recovery.
Start with a brief 15-minute screening to see if this approach is right for you. No obligation.
Prefer to speak directly? Call our surgical coordinator at (224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Meet Dr. Michael J. Tagge, DPM Founder of PRISM™ Reconstruction System
Dr. Michael Tagge is a top rated Chicago-based podiatric surgeon specializing in minimally invasive bunion reconstruction and advanced recovery protocols.
After seeing the effects traditional surgery has on patients, Dr. Michael Tagge developed a more recovery-focused approach designed around how patients actually heal and function.
Utilizing his extensive medical research background he determined the optimal targets to address common issues that increase pain, delay healing and create inferior outcomes. His philosophy is simple: surgery should not only correct the problem — it should be designed around how the patient heals, functions, and returns to life afterward.
This commitment to both advanced minimally invasive surgical precision and biological recovery optimization is what led to the development of the PRISM™ Reconstruction System: a more complete, modern approach to forefoot correction and healing.
Start with a brief 15-minute screening call. No obligation.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call our surgical coordinator at
(224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Looking for cosmetic foot surgery?
Many patients start there.
But the real question isn’t just how your foot looks right after surgery—
it’s whether that result:
- heals properly
- stays aligned
- looks natural over time
- is worth the procedure and recovery
That’s where a more structured approach makes the difference.
Why This Approach is Different
Traditional foot surgery has helped many patients — but it was not designed with modern lifestyles in mind.
- Large incisions and greater soft tissue disruption
- Use of implanted hardware such as screws
- Period of restricted weight-bearing
- Longer, more disruptive recovery process
A More Modern Approach to Foot Surgery
No Hardware Used
Our approach is specifically designed to minimize routine reliance on implanted hardware while supporting alignment and recovery.
Recovery Designed for Mobility and Efficiency
Designed to support earlier mobility, reduce downtime, and create a more efficient recovery process
More Than Just the Procedure
Most foot surgery focuses on the correction itself. Our approach unlocks advanced healing and recovery — supporting a more comfortable and more predictable outcome.
Our structured recovery approach with PRISM™ is designed to help you recover more comfortably, more efficiently, and with less disruption to your life.
"A better surgical experience is not defined by the procedure. It is defined by how the recovery is designed."
A More Thoughtful Surgical Experience
This approach is designed around outcomes—not insurance limitations.
For many patients, this is an investment in getting it done properly the first time,
with a focus on long-term results rather than short-term fixes.
Personalized Evaluation
Every case begins with a personalized surgical planning process — focused not only on correcting the deformity, but on how you will heal, move, and return to activity.
Precision Minimally Invasive Technique
Your procedure is performed using a highly specific minimally invasive approach, typically under local anesthesia, designed to minimize tissue disruption, reduce pain, and allow for immediate weight-bearing in most cases.
Recovery Designed for Mobility
Recovery is structured to support early mobility, reduce downtime, and promote a more efficient healing process — helping you return to daily life with less disruption.
Long-Term Outcome and Stability
The focus extends beyond the procedure itself — with attention to long-term alignment, function, and cosmetic outcome, helping ensure a result that both performs well and looks natural.
A successful outcome isn’t just measured in correction.
It’s measured in how you feel, move, and live afterward.
Start with a brief 15-minute screening to see if this approach is right for you. No obligation.
Prefer to speak directly? Call our surgical coordinator at
(224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Real outcomes focused on both alignment and appearance
Patients who chose the PRISM™ approach.
Before & After
Many patients come in expecting a long, difficult recovery. Their experience is often very different.
What People Say About Dr. Tagge
Specialized Care for Forefoot Conditions
We focus exclusively on conditions affecting the front of the foot, including:
Bunion Correction (Hallux Valgus)
A progressive deformity involving misalignment of the big toe joint,
Hammer Toe Treatment
Contractures of the lesser toes leading to deformity, friction, and pressure-related lesions.
Chronic Callus and Pressure Related Deformities
Recurrent areas of thickened skin are often a sign of underlying structural imbalance, not just surface irritation. We correct the issue at its source.
Aesthetic Forefoot Optimization
Refinement of forefoot structure to improve both appearance and function, addressing alignment, proportion, and mechanical balance.
Bunionette (Tailor's Bunions)
A prominence along the outside of the foot at the fifth metatarsal, often associated with pressure, irritation, and imbalance.
Structural forefoot imbalances
Subtle or advanced structural misalignment across the forefoot can lead to uneven loading, pain, and progressive deformity. These may include:
- Neuroma
- Capsulitis
- Plantar Plate Tears
- Metatarsalgia
Start with a brief 15-minute screening to see if this approach is right for you. No obligation.
Prefer to speak directly? Call our surgical coordinator at (224) 328-6466
We can help guide next steps and determine if a consultation makes sense
Common FAQs About Our Surgical Approach
Is Minimally Invasive Surgery actually effective?
Yes. When performed appropriately, minimally invasive techniques allow for precise correction with less soft tissue disruption.
Within the PRISM™ Reconstruction System, these techniques are combined with structured stabilization and healing optimization to support reliable, long-term outcomes.
Will I be able to walk after my procedure?
In most cases, yes.
Patients are typically able to bear weight immediately in a protective surgical sandal or boot, allowing for a more functional and manageable recovery process.
Is insurance accepted?
This is a specialized, boutique surgical practice focused on a higher level of care and experience than what insurance typically provides.
Specifics regarding coverage and financial structure are discussed during the consultation process. Out of network benefits may apply.
How long is the recovery?
Recovery is structured in phases, but generally more streamlined than traditional approaches.
Many patients transition back into regular footwear within days, with continued improvement over the following weeks as healing progresses.
Do you use screws or hardware?
No—our approach is designed to maintain correction using stable precision techniques rather than implanted hardware.
This allows for alignment control while avoiding the need for permanent implants.
What makes your approach different from traditional surgery?
Traditional surgery often focuses primarily on the procedure itself.
Our approach integrates surgical correction with healing optimization, stabilization, and biomechanical support, creating a more complete and controlled recovery process.
Is the procedure done in a hospital?
No. Procedures are typically performed in simple procedure settings under local anesthesia.
This allows for a more efficient, controlled experience and avoids the complexity of hospital-based surgery.
Will I be put to sleep?
No. Surgery is performed using local anesthesia.
Patients remain comfortable throughout the procedure while avoiding the risks and recovery associated with general anesthesia.
Who is a good candidate for this type of surgery?
Patients who:
Have structural forefoot deformities (such as bunions or hammertoes)
Are seeking a definitive, long-term solution
Prefer a more advanced, minimally disruptive approach
- Are looking for alternatives to traditional open approaches
A consultation is required to determine candidacy.
What is the first step?
The first step is a structured consultation to evaluate your condition, review imaging if needed, and determine whether this approach is appropriate for you.
Our Blog
Dr Michael Tagge (Bunion Master) Surgical Philosophy
My Surgical Philosophy: A Smarter, Concierge Approach to Foot Surgery in Chicago Foot surgery isn’t just about correcting a deformity
Foot Neuroma Treatment: Advanced Options to Relieve Pain Without Sacrificing Nerve Function
Understanding the Problem: What Is a Foot Neuroma? A foot neuroma, commonly referred to as Morton’s neuroma, is not actually
Cosmetic Foot Surgery Insights: How Modern Techniques Improve Healing, Scarring, and Recovery
For many patients, the decision to pursue foot surgery isn’t just about pain — it’s also about appearance, confidence, and
If you’re considering surgery, understanding your options is the most important first step.
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