When Is Reconstructive Foot Surgery Recommended?
Your feet carry your weight day in and day out and work tirelessly; it is natural to develop conditions that affect the foot. Quite often, foot problems can be managed with simple home remedies and over-the-counter medication. However, in some cases, foot problems do not respond to conservative treatment and you should consult a foot and ankle doctor. Your podiatrist will be able to determine what the next course of action should be and whether surgery is required.
When Is Reconstructive Foot Surgery Necessary?
The goal of reconstructive surgery is to take a foot and/or ankle that has been structurally or mechanically compromised in some way and restore it so that it looks and functions as normally as possible.
Reconstructive Foot Surgery may be helpful in the following circumstances:
- To alleviate discomfort.
- To restore the function of your foot.
- To repair a progressive deformity, like a bunion or hammertoes.
- To provide relief from excessive pain due to overcompensation.
- To prevent the risk of falls, sprains, and other injuries due to imbalance.
- To prevent decreased physical activity due to foot troubles that could lead to an increased risk of developing chronic health problems.
- To manage chronic ankle instability or end-stage arthritis.
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Reconstructive Foot Surgery can involve:
- Cutting and realigning bones
- Repairing tissues
- Transferring connective tissues
- Fusing joints that have become aggressively arthritic
- Replacing joints with artificial ones
Some conditions that Reconstructive Foot Surgery can help with, include:
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Flat feet
- Charcot's foot
- Unstable ankles
- End-stage arthritis
Despite the incredible benefits of reconstructive surgery, a good podiatric surgeon will first offer conservative treatments, such as custom orthotics, or will treat underlying causes before surgery becomes necessary. Early detection and treatment can help avoid surgery but if the condition does not respond to conservative treatment, gets worse, or affects the quality of life, reconstructive foot surgery should be considered. A good podiatrist will provide an expert treatment plan for your foot condition.
- Jan 20, 2023