Description

These surgeries cover a wide range of conditions, from injuries like fractures and ligament tears to chronic issues like bunions or arthritis. Since your feet literally carry you everywhere, proper treatment and recovery are key. 🦶 Common Foot & Ankle Conditions Requiring Surgery: 1. Ankle Fracture Repair 💥 From falls, twists, or trauma 🛠️ Bones are realigned and stabilized with plates, screws, or rods (ORIF) 🕒 Recovery: 6–12 weeks; non-weight bearing for a period 2. Ankle Ligament Repair (e.g., ATFL) 💥 Repeated sprains or severe acute tear 🛠️ Ligaments are tightened or reconstructed (Broström procedure) 🕒 Recovery: 8–12 weeks 3. Achilles Tendon Repair 💥 Full or partial tear (often sports-related) 🛠️ Torn ends are sewn together; sometimes reinforced 🕒 Recovery: 4–6 months, with progressive weight-bearing 4. Bunion Surgery (Hallux Valgus) 💥 Deformity at the base of the big toe 🛠️ Bone is realigned, and soft tissue corrected (various techniques like Lapidus or Chevron) 🕒 Recovery: 6–12 weeks, often in a boot or special shoe 5. Hammertoe Correction 💥 Toes curl abnormally due to imbalance in tendons/muscles 🛠️ Tendon release or bone trimming; sometimes fusion 🕒 Recovery: 4–6 weeks 6. Plantar Fascia Release 💥 Chronic plantar fasciitis not responding to therapy 🛠️ Cutting part of the fascia to relieve tension 🕒 Recovery: 6–8 weeks, but may take months for full pain relief 7. Flatfoot Reconstruction 💥 Severe arch collapse, often painful 🛠️ Involves tendon repair, bone cutting (osteotomy), and sometimes fusion 🕒 Recovery: 3–6 months, often non-weight bearing at first 8. Arthritis Surgery / Ankle Fusion / Replacement 💥 For severe arthritis in the foot or ankle 🛠️ Fusion locks the joint; replacement uses a prosthetic joint 🕒 Recovery: 3–6 months or longer 🔍 Types of Procedures: Open Surgery: Traditional, used for structural corrections Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS): Smaller cuts, quicker healing (e.g., for bunions or hammertoe) Arthroscopy: Tiny camera inserted to clean or repair joint damage (e.g., loose cartilage) 🏥 What to Expect: Pre-Op: Imaging: X-rays, MRI, CT Stop smoking, control blood sugar if diabetic Prep for mobility (crutches, scooter, etc.) Post-Op: Splints, casts, or boots Non-weight bearing early on for most bone/tendon surgeries Elevation + ice to control swelling Physical therapy once cleared ⚠️ Risks/Complications: Infection Blood clots (especially with limited mobility) Nerve damage or numbness Nonunion or malunion (bones don't heal properly) Hardware irritation Recurrence of deformity (e.g., bunions) 💪 Pro Tips for Recovery: Follow weight-bearing instructions exactly Use assistive devices safely (practice beforehand if possible) Stay consistent with rehab exercises Take care of your skin and incisions (watch for redness, drainage) Wear proper footwear post-recovery to prevent re-injury