Foot surgery Sunnybank is a medical procedure that can help correct issues in your feet to restore their normal functions.
The human foot is a complex structure that performs important weight-bearing functions every day.
When your foot is unable to perform these functions, you may experience pain and other complications. These can also lead to problems in your knees and other joints.
Deformities
A podiatrist can help treat foot deformities through a variety of treatment options, including bracing, casts, and surgery. The type of deformity you have will determine which options work best for you.
For example, if you have a bunion, your doctor may cut the bone and realign it. He or she can also cut and shift soft tissues to correct the shape of the big toe.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your feet. He or she may also recommend a cast, boot, or brace for a period of time to ensure a safe and successful recovery.
In addition, if you have diabetes, it's important to get treatment for any foot deformities that occur. This will not only help you get relief from pain and swelling, but it can also reduce the chance of developing a more serious condition.
Infections
Surgical wounds can become infected due to bacteria, germs or viruses. It's a rare complication but can be serious if it isn't treated correctly.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection but may include redness, swelling, warmth and pain. The symptoms are usually caused by inflammation, which is the body's natural response to infection.
Surgical site infections, also called SSIs, can occur after foot surgery. Typically, these infections are confined to the incision area but can occur anywhere. They are the result of bacteria that were introduced to the incision area and / or contaminated tissue. These infections can be very serious and need antibiotics, drainage and sometimes a second surgery to treat them.
Fractures
If you have a foot fracture, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. Your doctor will determine whether the injury is severe enough to require surgery.
Most foot fractures do not need surgery. However, there are some that do, including ankle joint and metatarsal bone fractures.
Some of these fractures can cause long-term issues such as pain and arthritis if they are not treated properly. Your doctor may recommend a program of physiotherapy or surgery to realign displaced bones, repair your fracture and reduce the risk of long-term problems.
Your doctor will diagnose a fracture using X-rays or MRI scans. X-rays show your bones and joints, while MRI scans are more sensitive and can reveal changes in your bones and ligaments that X-rays cannot.
Pain
All surgery causes pain, however this is usually reduced by keeping your foot elevated at all times and following the post operative instructions specific to the operation. Avoidance of smoking, alcohol and nicotine products before and after the operation is also advisable to reduce swelling and increase the likelihood of successful healing.
Some patients may experience numbness in the affected area for several days following surgery. This can be due to the use of local anaesthetics or the placement of a regional nerve block at the ankle.
In very rare cases, the deep fibular nerve can be compressed which is a common cause of pain in the bottom of the foot or around the largest few toes (Deep Fibular Neuritis). This condition should be treated early as it can be very painful and can affect your quality of life.
Research shows that moderate-to-severe pain at rest and pain during walking were reported in a significant proportion of patients 1 year after orthopaedic foot surgery despite the best use of analgesic regimens. Patients with neuropathic chronic pain had an even greater risk of experiencing increased postoperative morbidity.