When Is Reconstructive Foot Surgery Recommended? (2024)

FAQs

Why would you need foot reconstruction? ›

Reconstructive Foot Surgery may be helpful in the following circ*mstances: To alleviate discomfort. To restore the function of your foot. To repair a progressive deformity, like a bunion or hammertoes.

No single technique demonstrated a significant benefit over the other. Overall, the bone fusion rate was 86.1%. Complications directly attributable to the technique employed were noted in 36% of individuals. The reported post-reconstruction amputation rate was only 5.5% with 91% apparently returning to ambulation.

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include: Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs. Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues.

Severe corns, calluses, bunions, and hammertoes can disfigure the feet. A deformed toe causes pain and discomfort, and it increases your risk of falls and other injury-causing accidents. Surgical treatment can be performed to straighten out and reposition the toes so that you can walk properly and without pain.

If the fracture in your foot or ankle is displaced, or has caused misalignment of the bones, your orthopaedic surgeon will need to put the bones back into the correct position using specialized hardware such as plates, screws or pins.

There are a few operations where a patient can be expected to resume wearing standard footwear in as little as 2-3 weeks but the majority of foot and ankle operations take at least 8 weeks before standard footwear can be attempted.

However, it is essential to weigh the potential drawbacks. Surgery entails inherent risks, including infection, nerve damage, and prolonged recovery periods. Additionally, the success of the procedure may vary, and there's no guarantee of complete symptom resolution.

The success rate of foot fusions is excellent, with most patients experiencing a complete or almost total reduction of pain by about three months. After six months, you should be able to participate in sports.

It depends. Small, minor reconstruction surgery is unlikely to cause significant pain. In contrast, more extensive foot reconstructions will take longer to heal and, due to greater surgical debridement (removal of dead or infected tissue), is typically more painful.

Most people with problems in their feet or ankles won't need surgery. The decision whether to operate depends on a number of factors: how bad your symptoms are (pain and the effect this has on your life) your needs.

How do I know I need foot surgery? ›

Both podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons are qualified to treat foot and ankle conditions, surgically and non-surgically. In general, the best bet is to choose the doctor you feel the most comfortable with, or who has the most experience treating your particular condition.

"Cinderella surgery" is a term for cosmetic procedures that make the feet look better, like fixing a bunion, reshaping the foot, or getting rid of corns, calluses, or other foot problems. The term comes from the story of Cinderella, who couldn't wear her glass slippers because her feet hurt.

It Will Likely Be An Outpatient Procedure

Additionally, most foot surgery involves only a local anesthetic, meaning that you will be awake during your procedure. However, you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the surgery itself.

Bone Fusion, Bone Osteotomy, or Bone Grafting

The foot surgeon removes all of the cartilage from the joint, and then fuses the two joint bones together with pins, plates, or screws, so that they cannot move.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is done to correct facial and body abnormalities caused by birth defects, injury, disease, or aging. Usually, the goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to improve body function.

Midfoot fusion is used to treat joint pain caused by midfoot arthritis or, in some cases, severe injury to the ligaments that creates instability in the arch. The joints of the midfoot do not have much motion, even when they are not damaged.

You might need this surgery if one or more of the ligaments on the outside of your ankle has loosened or stretched. This leads to a condition called chronic ankle instability. It can cause chronic pain, repeated ankle sprains, and an ankle that often gives way when you walk or perform activities.

The goals of the surgery are to improve the alignment of the foot and restore more normal pressure during standing and walking. This surgery can also reduce pain and improve walking ability.