What conditions does foot and ankle surgery treat?
Foot and ankle surgery can treat a wide range of common issues, including:
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis happens when the tendon that runs between your heel and calf grows inflamed. This can cause severe pain, and the condition may worsen to cause tendon rupture if you don’t seek treatment.
Fractures
Fractures, or broken bones, can occur in any bone within your feet or ankles. Walking on a fractured foot or ankle can greatly worsen the damage, so it’s important to get treatment right away.
Trauma
Trauma is a big category, one that can encompass auto accidents, sports injuries, accidental injuries, and many other situations.
Arthritis
Arthritis weakens your joints and can lead to serious foot and ankle pain. It can be especially common in the ankle joints but may affect other areas in your foot, too.
When should I consider foot and ankle surgery?
Foot and ankle surgery methods are now highly advanced, but surgery’s still a big step. You might need to consider foot and ankle surgery in the following situations.
- The problem doesn’t improve with conservative care
- Increasing pain
- Unmanageable pain
- Poor mobility, requiring a cane, walker, or other devices regularly
- Foot or ankle structural abnormalities
Your Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP provider can explain all the benefits and any potential drawbacks connected with surgery to help you make the right choice.
How does foot and ankle surgery work?
There are a number of different approaches, including minimally invasive surgery with small incisions. The Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, surgeons frequently use minimally invasive approaches to remove damaged bone and tissue, restore deformities, and repair tissue.
If you have a complex fracture or other severe foot or ankle damage, you might need specialized surgery, including fixation with plates, screws, and pins.
Whether you have minimally invasive surgery or traditional open surgery, proper rehab is crucial when it comes to foot and ankle surgery. Your provider recommends a tailored physical therapy program to get you back to full function.
