When foot pain or poor foot function interfere with your job, day-to-day living, and leisure activities, it may be time to consider foot surgery. In Columbia, Maryland, our foot doctors at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland diagnose and treat patients with a wide scope of podiatric issues using conservative and surgical treatments.
Let’s discuss when foot surgery is your best option.
Your Feet Are Amazingly Complex
When you look at your shoes, you may not realize they house highly complicated structures. It’s true. Each foot has 26 bones and a series of movement- and balance-facilitating tendons and ligaments–all of which are prone to deformity, disease, and injury. Stress, strain, or fracture one component of your foot or ankle, and you are likely to experience:
- Pain
- Deformity
- Poor balance
- Limited mobility
- Decreased ability to work, care for your family, and partake in the hobbies and sports you love
In addition, your feet contain several important components of the integument – skin, sweat glands, nails, and more. If you place undue pressure on your feet, suffer from a disease such as diabetes, or sustain a sports or occupational injury, the foot’s skin and nails are subject to infection, wounds, ingrown nails, and more.
Is Foot Surgery The First and Best Option?
Typically, the answer to this question is no. Your podiatrist will first offer a myriad of conservative treatments and therapies to get your feet and ankles better again. However, for some patients, surgery is the first option–as is the case with a compound ankle fracture or traumatic injury, such as a crushed foot. For some patients, conservative strategies do not achieve the level of function, mobility, pain relief, and independence they desire and deserve. That’s when surgery comes in.
Conditions Which May Require Foot Surgery
Hammertoe
A deformity of the second through fifth toes, hammertoe impacts mobility, comfort, appearance, and skin integrity. It is associated with diabetes, some neurological disorders, and even lifestyle choices, such as toe-cramping due to high-heeled shoes. Surgery involves fusing or fixing the deformed joint(s) in the toe, enabling better gait and balance.
Bunions
A bony bump at the base of the big toe, a bunion turns the big toe toward the other toes of the foot, causing pain and balance problems. Orthotics to correct gait problems and roomier footwear can stop bunion progression, but when the deformity is severe, a bunionectomy is in order. This surgery removes the bump and straightens the big toe for better appearance, as well as proper gait and balance.
Achilles Tendonitis or Rupture
Frequently resulting from jumping, bouncing, and repetitive activities, such as basketball and running, this heel cord injury is very painful. It involves substantial swelling and reduced ability to walk, run, and even stand comfortably. Surgery involves shortening a stretched tendon or removal of damaged or diseased portions.
Neuromas
These benign growths form on nerves and connective tissue associated with the metatarsal bones. As they grow, they cause both pain and loss of feeling in the foot. Excision of the neuroma relieves pressure and restores normal foot function.
A Consultation at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
In the Baltimore, MD area, explore your foot care and surgery options with our highly skilled foot expert and surgeon, Dr. Roberto Brandao. He’ll evaluate your podiatric issues and formulate a treatment plan perfect for your health and lifestyle. If you need surgery, you can count on his skills for an excellent outcome.
Call us today at (410) 644-1880 for your personalized consultation, or use our online appointment request form. We have six locations to serve you, including Cantonsville, Eldersburg, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jessup, and Fulton, MD. We look forward to seeing you soon!
