Surgery is usually only a last resort when it comes to painful foot and ankle conditions, selected only after less aggressive forms of care have been exhausted. That being said, in many cases surgery may offer your best chance at a good outcome that will allow you to eliminate your stubborn pain and get back to living your life to the fullest.
Foot pain is not normal. Even though your feet have the sometimes-difficult job of providing the foundation for your entire body, they’re designed to last you a lifetime. Our doctors are committed to maintain the healthiness and happiness of your feet at any age, through a wide variety of measures including surgery.
Surgery for Traumatic Injuries
In the case of a traumatic injury, emergency surgery may be the only realistic choice, although in some more minor cases immobilization or casting may be sufficient.
Injury-related conditions we commonly treat with surgery include broken ankles, heel fractures, broken feet (including bones in the toes, midfoot, or hindfoot), as well as significant soft-tissue injuries such as Achilles tendon ruptures.
Elective Surgery for Foot Deformities
Structural foot deformities are one of the most common categories of foot surgeries we perform. This would include bunion removal or realignment, correcting hammertoes or claw toes, flatfoot reconstruction surgery, realigning crossover toe, and other painful conditions that alter the shape of your feet.
Elective Surgery for Other Chronic Foot Conditions
Surgery may also be suggested as a possible treatment course for other chronic problems that have not responded well to conservative methods. Although there are far too many to list, common examples might include the removal of excess bone or soft tissue masses (such as heel spurs, neuromas, or cysts), decompression of tight tendons or pinched nerves by releasing or loosening nearby structures, joint repairs or replacements, and other procedures.
Deciding on Surgery
In the case of certain injuries or a severe deformity such as Charcot foot, surgery may be the only viable course of action and recommended as soon as possible. However, in many other cases—such as bunions, hammertoes, or neuromas—the decision of whether or not to operate, and when, is one that must be carefully considered with input from both you and your doctor.
As previously stated, surgery is usually a last resort, and many conditions may be adequately resolved through conservative care, especially if they’re acted upon early. We’ll always encourage you to exhaust all your conservative options before considering surgery, and we’ll always take the time to carefully evaluate your situation, discuss your concerns and goals, and help you arrive at the best possible decision for your long-term happiness and health.
Whatever option you choose, know that you’re in good hands. The podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Center have extensive training in both conservative and surgical care, and incorporate the latest technology and research into their approach.
Compassionate Care
Even when you know it’s the right choice, surgery can still be a scary proposition. To help, we want to make the entire process as comfortable as possible, and we want to ensure that you completely understand both the selected procedure and all post-operative instructions you’ll need for a healthy recovery and rehabilitation.
In most cases you’ll be off your feet for a few weeks and will need time to rebuild lost strength and range of motion; our goal is to help you through this process with clear instructions and check-up appointments. While no one enjoys a lengthy recovery, we want to make it as stress-free as possible. In the end, the freedom from pain and the ability to return to full, active life is more than worth it.
Is surgery right for you? Every case is different. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation of your condition and treatment options, please call Family Foot & Ankle Center today. We have six offices in and around Cincinnati, OH—including one in Kentucky—to serve you. Request an appointment online, or reach us toll free at 888-689-3317.
