Foot Surgery

To cut or not to cut, that is the question. Not that it was a question. Maybe it was rhetorical.

Unlike other parts of the body, the foot is subjected to stress well in excess of normal pressures from the loading weight of the patient. It is estimated that the additive force of gravity, the body habitus of the patient, the type of foot the patient has and the ground reactive forces all play a role in amplifying the pressure subjected to the structures of the foot. Don’t forget loyal reader, the bones of the foot are some of the smallest in the body, so it is no wonder that if a condition arises that further amplifies the force on the foot, a patient shows up looking for answers.

When a patient presents to the office for a consultation, the first thing we do is examine the foot when weightbearing and non-weightbearing. I mentioned above the type of foot the patient has helps determine the additional forces that the bones and supporting structures of the foot are subjected to, and this is where we start to gather information that helps determine where the problem came from.

Usually, conservative measures are all that are needed to help the issue calm down. When I say conservative measures, I am referring to all non-surgical treatment. These treatments can range from some simple rest and ice to cortisone injections and advanced therapies like extracorporeal shockwave therapy and physical therapy. A custom orthotic device is the best way we can support the foot and ankle. This is my favorite way to rehabilitate a patient.

We do everything that we can to keep patients out of the operating room, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes surgery is the only option. We always provide a detailed plan and counsel our patients on the etiology of the problem and all the ways it can be fixed including the downtime associated with each procedure and what the patient can expect during recovery. We are a team from the start to the finish, so we can tailor a plan that works best for your situation.

The best way to know is to come in so our friendly staff and extraordinarily good looking doctors can let you know your options. We look forward to seeing you!