Although conservative treatments are typically the first line of defense, foot problems don’t always respond to them. Sometimes a more aggressive approach, like surgery, is necessary to relieve chronic pain and restore function. Here is a list of common conditions involving the forefoot and rearfoot that can be successfully treated with surgery:
Forefoot Fixes
Metatarsal – This involves the bones around the ball of the foot. Procedures are most commonly done to redistribute the weight bearing on the area, but sometimes involve bone removal.
Bunion – Depending on severity, there are various bunionectomy procedures to address this painful enlargement of the big toe joint, from realigning tendons to removing the bony prominence. Smaller bunions called bunionettes, or tailor’s bunions, can form on the little toe joint and can be similarly treated.
Hammer, Mallet, and Claw Toes – These deformities can make wearing shoes difficult. When they interfere with your daily life, surgical solutions can partially removal or realign bones to return toes to their normal positions.
Neuromas – Usually involving the metatarsal heads in the ball of your foot, this procedure removes benign enlargements of the nerves.
Hallux Rigidus – This arthritic condition of the big toe joint can cause pain and loss of mobility. Surgical techniques to restore function range from repair, to replacement, to fusion (permanently attaching the bone).
Corns – These thick layers of skin typically form on toes due to friction from footwear. Underlying conditions like hammertoes can be at fault. When conservative measures fail, corns can be permanently removed with surgery.
Rearfoot Repairs
Heel Surgery – Performed to provide relief from chronic pain, this usually consists of plantar fascia (the band of tissue connected your toes to your heel) release, sometimes in combination with heel spur (excessive bone growth) excision.
Achilles Tendon – For persistent Achilles problems, surgical procedures can lengthen or shorten the tendon, reroute it, remove damaged tissue, or repair ruptures.
Haglund’s Deformity – Also known as “pump bump,” this is an enlargement of the bone in the back of the heel that is often accompanied by bursitis. Procedures can remove or reposition bone to alleviate the problem.
Ankle Fractures – Depending on the severity of the break, bones may need to be realigned, held together with hardware, or fused. Soft tissue damage surrounding the break may also need to be repaired.
If you are suffering from a chronic condition that conservative treatments just can’t seem to resolve, find out more about the benefits of forefoot and rearfoot surgeries. Visit Carolina Podiatry Group in South Carolina or make an appointment with one of our experts: Brandon Percival, DPM, Julie Percival, DPM, or William Harris IV, DPM. Call (803) 548-FEET in Indian Land, or (803) 285-1411 in Lancaster. We will assess your problem and help you decide if surgery is right for you.