Generally, orthopedic surgery is recommended to enable you to get back on your feet when bunions, a broken ankle, or other painful foot injuries begin preventing you from participating in your daily chores. Most daily activities require healthy feet to help you move while carrying out these tasks. If you have a foot or ankle condition, you should seek care if the symptoms persist because most of them usually resolve with supportive care and rest. Therefore, if your concerns persist even after trying out supportive care, medications, physical therapy, and rest, you might need to consult New York foot and ankle specialists who may recommend surgery. Examples of foot and ankle surgeries that might be performed are as follows:
Hammer toe correction
In most cases, hammer toe surgery is performed depending on the severity of your condition. Usually, minimally invasive surgery is initially recommended to help correct hammer toe because it is less painful, and its results are quick. However, if treatment options require joint fusion, a tiny wire or pin may be required to straighten toe joints, thus allowing them to heal together.
Bunion correction
The main aim of bunion correction is to help realign the big toe joint, repair the bones and alleviate pain. In this case, your care provider may make tiny incisions to help realign tendons, bones, and ligaments. In other situations, plates or screws may be used to reinforce the changes made by your care provider. Bunion surgery is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure that incorporates the help of a physical therapist. The physical therapist’s role is to educate you on the right footwear that will promote healing and allow you to resume your activities of daily living within a few months.
Total ankle replacement
During ankle arthroplasty or total ankle replacement, your care provider usually removes the damaged joint and then uses a prosthetic implant or an artificial joint to replace the damaged or injured ankle joint. Therefore, the artificial joint allows your foot to pivot and move, restores unrestricted movements, and alleviates pain.
Ankle arthroscopy
It is a minimally invasive procedure where your care provider uses a tiny camera to diagnose ankle problems and repair them. Tiny incisions are usually inserted through a camera, and tissues around the ankle are repaired. It is also through the same incision that damaged tissues around the joint are removed. Most people who have undergone this procedure experience greater mobility and less pain afterward.
Ankle and foot fracture repair
This surgery aims to secure and realign fractured bones of your ankle and foot. The procedure also involves removing and repairing damaged or diseased soft tissues. Of importance to note is that plates or screws may be used to secure the fractured bones to promote healing and alleviate pain.
Other orthopedic surgeries include midfoot fusion for arthritis, Achilles tendon repair, cartilage restoration, flat foot reconstruction, and great toe arthritis correction. Therefore, if your foot or ankle conditions persist despite trying out various non-invasive treatments available, your care provider may recommend surgery to promote healing and reduce pain. You can schedule your appointment at Flex-Foot and Ankle today and undergo the orthopedic surgery your caregiver recommended.