When is
Foot
Surgery
Necessary?
Many
foot
problems
do not
respond
to
“conservative”
management.
Dr.
Robinson
can
determine
when
surgical
intervention
may be
helpful.
Often
when
pain or
deformity
persists,
surgery
may be
appropriate
to
alleviate
discomfort
or to
restore
the
function
of your
foot.
Bunions
A common
deformity
of the
foot, a
bunion
is an
enlargement
of the
bone and
tissue
around
the
joint of
the big
toe.
Heredity
frequently
plays a
role in
the
occurrence
of
bunions,
as it
does in
other
foot
conditions.
When
symptomatic,
the area
may
become
red,
swollen,
and
inflamed,
making
shoe
gear and
walking
uncomfortable
and
difficult.
If
conservative
care
fails to
reduce
these
symptoms,
surgical
intervention
may be
warranted.
Dr.
Robinson
will
determine
the type
of
surgical
procedure
best
suited
for your
deformity,
based on
a
variety
of
information
which
may
include
X-rays
and gait
examination.
Tailor’s
Bunion is
shown above
-- red area
on the left.
The red area
to the right
is an
example of a
bunion.
Hammertoes
A
hammertoe
deformity is
a
contracture
of the toe(s),
frequently
caused by an
imbalance in
the tendon
or joints of
the toes.
Due to the
“buckling”
effect of
the toe(s),
hammertoes
may become
painful
secondary to
footwear
irritation
and
pressure.
Corn and
callus
formation
may occur as
a hammertoe
becomes more
rigid over
time, making
it difficult
to wear
shoes. Dr.
Robinson
may suggest
correction
of this
deformity
through a
surgical
procedure to
realign the toe(s).
Hammertoe
Neuroma
An
irritation
of a nerve
may produce
a neuroma,
which is a
benign
enlargement
of a nerve
segment,
commonly
found
between the
third and
fourth toes.
Several
factors may
contribute
to the
formation of
a neuroma.
Trauma,
arthritis,
high-heeled
shoes, or an
abnormal
bone
structure
are just
some of the
conditions
that may
cause a
neuroma.
Symptoms
such as
burning or
tingling in
the ball of
the foot or
in the
adjacent
toes and
even
numbness are
commonly
seen with
this
condition.
Other
symptoms
include
swelling
between the
toes and
pain in the
ball of the
foot when
weight is
placed on
it.
Those
suffering
from the
condition
often find
relief by
stopping
their walk,
taking off
their shoe,
and rubbing
the affected
area. At
times, the
patient will
describe the
pain as
similar to
having a
stone in his
or her shoe.
Dr. Robinson
will suggest
a treatment
plan. If
conservative
treatment
does not
relieve the
symptoms,
then
Dr. Robinson
will decide,
on the basis
of your
symptoms,
whether
surgical
treatment is
appropriate.
A
neuroma
is shown
above--inflamed
yellow
area in
the
middle
left
region.
Bunionette
(Tailor’s
Bunion)
A
protuberance
of bone at
the outside
of the foot
behind the
fifth
(small) toe,
the
bunionette
or “small
bunion” is
caused by a
variety of
conditions
including
heredity,
faulty
biomechanics
(the way one
walks) or
trauma, to
name a few.
Pain is
often
associated
with this
deformity,
making shoes
very
uncomfortable
and at times
even walking
becomes
difficult.
If severe
and
conservative
treatments
fail to
improve the
symptoms of
this
condition,
surgical
repair may
be
suggested.
Dr. Robinson
will develop
a surgical
plan
specific to
the
condition
present.
Bone spurs
A bone
spur is an
overgrowth
of bone as a
result of
pressure,
trauma, or
reactive
stress of a
ligament or
tendon. This
growth can
cause pain
and even
restrict
motion of a
joint,
depending on
its location
and size.
Spurs may
also be
located
under the
toenail
plate,
causing nail
deformity
and pain.
Surgical
treatment
and
procedure is
based on the
size,
location,
and symptoms
of the bone
spur.
Dr. Robinson
will
determine
the surgical
method best
suited for
your
condition.
Preoperative
Testing
and Care
As with
anyone
facing
any
surgical
procedure,
those
undergoing
foot and
ankle
surgery
require
specific
tests or
examinations
before
surgery
to
improve
a
successful
surgical
outcome.
Prior to
surgery,
Dr.
Robinson
will
review
your
medical
history
and
medical
conditions.
Specific
diseases,
illnesses,
allergies,
and
current
medications
need to
be
evaluated.
Other
tests
that
help
evaluate
your
health
status
may be
ordered
by
Dr.
Robinson,
such as
blood
studies,
urinalysis,
EKG,
X-rays,
a blood
flow
study
(to
better
evaluate
the
circulatory
status
of the
foot/legs),
and a
biomechanical
examination.
A
consultation
with
another
medical
specialist
may be
advised
by
Dr.
Robinson,
depending
on your
test
results
or a
specific
medical
condition.
Postoperative
Care
The type of
foot surgery
performed
determines
the length
and kind of
aftercare
required to
assure that
your
recovery
from surgery
is rapid and
uneventful.
The basics
of all
postoperative
care involve
to some
degree each
of the
following:
rest, ice,
compression,
and
elevation.
Bandages,
splints,
surgical
shoes,
casts,
crutches, or
canes may be
necessary to
improve and
ensure a
safe
recovery
after foot
surgery. A
satisfactory
recovery can
be hastened
by carefully
following
instructions
from
Dr. Robinson.
Your Feet
Aren’t
Supposed to
Hurt
Remember
that foot
pain is not
normal.
Healthy,
pain-free
feet are a
key to your
independence.
At the first
sign of
pain, or any
noticeable
changes in
your feet,
call for an
appointment. Your
feet must
last a
lifetime,
and most
Americans
log an
amazing
75,000 miles
on their
feet by the
time they
reach age
50. Regular
foot care
can make
sure your
feet are up
to the task.
With proper
detection,
intervention,
and care,
most foot
and ankle
problems can
be lessened
or
prevented.
Remember
that the
advice
provided in
this
pamphlet
should not
be used as a
substitute
for a
consultation
or
evaluation
by a
podiatric
physician.
Email this Page
Printer Friendly
Version
