Start from the Right Foot
Your feet are an important part of your daily life. However, they can also be quite fragile. A sprain or ruptured ligament can result in you being out of commission for a long time.
The good news about most ankle and foot injuries is that they can be treated with physiotherapeutic exercises. Sometimes, however, rehabilitation may not be enough. These cases will force you to seek orthopedic surgery.
The Advanced Foot Surgery Centre offers five types of foot surgery in Perth for patients who are Orthopedic Surgeons.
- Ankle and foot arthroscopy
- Fusion surgery for the foot and ankle
- Achilles tendon repair
- Metatarsal foot surgery
- Calcaneal osteotomy
For more information about foot surgery offered by our orthopedic surgeons, please read the rest of this article
How your Orthopedic Surgeon Fixes You Feet
Foot surgery, like any other surgical procedure is best left to the last resort. These invasive procedures are rarely recommended by orthopedic specialists unless other options have been exhausted.
Your orthopedic surgeon can perform any one of the following 5 types of foot surgery depending on the severity and nature of your foot injury:
- Foot and ankle surgery: This procedure is relatively non-invasive when compared to other types of foot surgery. It involves the inserting of a thin fiberoptic camera (arthroscope), into the ankle joint. The surgeon can see inside your foot with the arthroscope, which transmits images to them. Although arthroscopy doesn't fix your ankle or foot injury, it can often be the first cut. More complex surgeries may be required. Arthroscopy determines the severity and nature of the injury and informs your foot surgeon about the best course of action. Your surgeon may perform an arthroscopy if you suspect you have an ankle fracture, torn ligaments or ankle arthritis.
- Foot and ankle Fusion Surgery: This procedure involves the joining of two or more bones together (hence, "fusion") in the foot or ankle. Combining different bones creates a stronger, more stable foot. To provide support for the fused bones, plates and screws can be added. Fusion surgery is a great way to treat ankle arthritis, flat feet and fractures.
- Achilles tendon repair Although your Achilles tendon, which is the largest in your body is very strong, can still be torn by strong forces. You will feel pain every time you move your Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon repair involves securing the Achilles tendon that has ruptured or torn back together. Your surgeon might take an Achilles tendon from another part of your foot to replace it if your Achilles tendon has been severely damaged.
- Metatarsal Foot Surgery:Behind every toe is a long, metatarsal bone. These bones can break if you twist your foot, drop a heavy item on them, or if your foot is twisted. If you have rheumatoid, your metatarsal bones could also be affected. Surgery for metatarsal bone problems involves reshaping or aligning damaged bones using fixation devices like pins and screws.
- Calcaneal Osteotomy: Surgery may be required if your calcaneus fractures. This involves realigning your heel bone with fixation devices.
Calcaneal osteotomies can be performed on your feet in a much shorter time than other procedures.
Get up again
The following are some of the most popular foot and ankle procedures:
- Foot and ankle surgery: Sends images from your foot to the surgeon for assessment.
- Foot and ankle Fusion: Fusing your bones together strengthens your bones.
- Achilles tendon repair: Sews your Achilles tendon to its original position.
- Metatarsal Foot Surgery:Reinforces and realigns broken metatarsal bone with fixation devices.
- Calcaneal osteotomyRealigns broken heel bone using fixation devices
Are you concerned that your feet might need one of these procedures in order to regain mobility? You can visit our website
