Foot and ankle surgery requires the services of a specialist, your podiatrist, or foot and ankle surgeon. There are many types of foot and ankle surgery.
Common Foot and Ankle Surgeries
Some of the more common foot and ankle surgeries include:
- Bunion surgery, commonly known as a bunionectomy – removes large bunions and realigns the bones in your toe and foot
- Joint fusion or bone realignment – commonly performed in cases of foot or ankle arthritis
- Ulcer treatment – to help heal tissue damage from a diabetic ulcer
- Achilles tendon release – a helpful procedure to relieve plantar fasciitis pain
- Reconstruction and realignment of broken bones – to restore form and function to your feet or ankles
When you have foot or ankle surgery, you will enjoy important benefits, including:
- Relief of pain when you move
- Improved mobility and weight support
- Improved flexibility so you can become active again
- Increased stability and balance when walking or standing
You should see a specialist for an evaluation of whether foot and ankle surgery is appropriate for you, if:
- You feel severe foot or ankle pain that isn’t relieved by medications
- You can’t stand or walk without pain in your feet or ankles
- You have experienced an accident or sports injury involving your feet or ankles
- You have a chronic condition like arthritis or diabetes which is affecting your feet or ankles
- You notice obvious swelling, severe bruising, or dislocated bones in your feet or ankles
When you visit our podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon, your specialist will carefully examine your feet and ankles and may request imaging and lab studies to help with diagnosis. If foot and ankle surgery is recommended, you need to:
- Bring a driver to take you home after your procedure
- Follow the instructions given to you by your podiatrist
- Don’t smoke before or after surgery
- Rest and elevate the surgical area for the first 2 weeks
- Keep your bandage or cast dry after surgery
- Take your medications, including pain medications
Want To Know More?
To find out more about the types of foot and ankle surgery and what to expect, talk with the experts. Call Dr. Larry Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle. You can reach him by calling (478) 328-2008, so call today.