4 Common Foot and Ankle Surgeries
Most of us would much rather stick to new shoes or physical therapy, but sometimes our feet reach a point where they need a structural reset. If you have been talking with your podiatrist about taking the next step, it helps to know that you are not alone. There are a handful of procedures we at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group perform that are highly successful at getting people back to their active lives. Here are 4 of them.
Bunions and Hammertoes
As we discussed in previous posts, a bunionectomy is a structural realignment of the big toe joint. By shifting the bone back into its proper place, your surgeon can stop that constant rubbing and inflammation that makes wearing shoes so miserable.
Similarly, hammertoe correction is a very common procedure for the smaller toes. If you have a toe that stays bent in a claw-like position, it is usually because the tendons have become too tight to let it lie flat. In this surgery, we might remove a small piece of bone or release a tendon to allow the toe to straighten out.
This keeps you from developing those painful corns and calluses on the tops of your toes that won’t go away.
Achilles Tendon Repair
If you have ever felt a sudden pop in the back of your heel while playing sports or even just stepping awkwardly, you might be looking at an Achilles tendon repair. This surgery is common for people who have sustained a full rupture or a severe tear that cannot heal on its own.
Essentially, we stitch the two ends of the tendon back together to restore the strength and spring in your step. While the recovery involves some time in a boot, it is the gold standard for making sure you can push off your foot properly again.
Plantar Fasciitis
Most people can treat plantar fasciitis with stretches and orthotics, but for a small percentage of patients, the pain becomes chronic and unresponsive to everything else. In these cases, a plantar fascia release is a common solution.
We’ll make a small incision to snip a portion of the inflamed ligament. This releases the tension that causes stabbing heel pain and allows the tissue to heal in a more relaxed position.
Neuroma Excision
When injections and padding do not work, a neuroma excision is a very common fix. We remove the inflamed portion of the nerve, and while it might leave a small area of permanent numbness between your toes, most people find that a tiny bit of numbness is a small price to pay to get rid of the sharp, burning pain that made walking so painful.
If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.
