Painful feet can affect your life in many ways. Whether your foot injury stems from sports, work or an inherited condition such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an orthopedic specialist is equipped to determine the cause and prescribe medication, physical therapy, orthotics and surgery.

From simple nail surgery to a more complex tendon transfer or arthrodesis to help with severe high arches, these procedures can improve function and quality of life.

Treatment

A foot injury can keep you from enjoying your daily activities. To walk, drive and even mow the lawn you need healthy feet. While most conditions of the foot and ankle can be treated with nonsurgical methods like rest, physical therapy or NSAIDs/DMARDs, many require the expertise of a Foot & Ankle orthopedic surgeon to get better.

Your feet and ankles support your entire body. They have hundreds of ligaments, tendons and muscles that deliver stability and balance. These critical structures become susceptible to wear and tear over time, leading to flat feet, bunions, hammer toes, clawing of the toes and heel pain.

Your foot has 26 bones and injuries or breaks can occur due to sudden trauma, repetitive movements or underlying health issues. Our specialists treat all types of fractures. In the case of severe injuries they perform surgery to repair the bone and prevent complications. They also perform minimally invasive surgical techniques that result in faster recovery and less scarring.

Preparation

Patients that require foot orthopedic surgery should prepare themselves both physically and mentally for a successful surgical procedure. Proper preparation can help patients minimize complications and achieve a faster recovery.

Patients should ask family and friends for assistance during recovery. They should make arrangements for someone to drive them to their first doctor appointments and help with unavoidable errands and chores. They should stock their freezer with meals and have snacks and drinks that are easily accessible.

Patients should also set up a temporary bedroom that is on the first floor of their home. This will minimize the amount of time they spend climbing stairs after surgery. They should also set up a temporary seating area and keep items like pillows, extra shoes, medication, TV remote, books or magazines, drinks and a large tray nearby. By taking these steps, patients can reduce their stress levels and get a better night’s rest. They will also be more prepared to deal with the pain that comes with their surgery.

Recovery

When a foot injury keeps you from enjoying your favourite activities, it might be time to consider orthopedic surgery. This can seem intimidating but it is often a minimally invasive procedure that can help you get back to your normal lifestyle sooner.

During the recovery process, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. This includes resting and not putting too much pressure on the surgical site. Keeping the area elevated can also reduce swelling and pain. It is also important to take pain medications as directed.

After a few weeks, you can begin to put more weight on your foot and ankle as it heals. Your doctor will monitor the progress of your recovery through regular appointments and X-rays. They will tell you when it is safe to resume daily activities and may start physical therapy to increase strength, stability and range of motion in your foot and ankle. It can take up to a year for pain, swelling and mobility to fully improve after foot or ankle surgery.부산정형외과

Post-surgery care

After surgery, follow all of your doctor’s instructions. This is crucial to a successful recovery and getting back to your regular activities.

Keep the operated foot elevated above the level of your heart to control swelling. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. Take your pain medications as instructed, but don’t overmedicate.부산족저근막염

Depending on your surgery you may have an imaging test done again to check for any changes in your condition since the previous exam. Your doctor will prescribe physical therapy exercises and stretches to help your foot and ankle gradually heal, improve strength, and restore flexibility.

If you have a hammer toe, your surgeon can do a minimally invasive procedure to remove damaged tissue and straighten the toe. For more severe hammer toes, your doctor can transfer tendons and fuse bones to reduce pain and improve mobility. The surgeon can also replace a damaged ankle joint with an artificial one (total ankle replacement or arthroplasty). Lastly, your doctor may recommend taking medication to further minimize your risk of blood clots.