Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
Reconstructive surgery can repair foot and ankle injuries, correct deformities or relieve pain. Many complications of the foot and ankle that don’t respond to conservative treatment can be resolved without implanting prosthetics (arthroplasty). Reconstructive surgery enables patients to recover from their medical issue with regained functionality of their foot or ankle, which prosthetics typically don’t allow. And many patients can benefit from minimally invasive surgery that allows them to go home and heal more quickly.Conditions Treated With Reconstructive Surgery
Patients who constantly experience foot and ankle pain, whether it’s work- and activity-related or the result of another condition, can benefit from reconstructive surgery. Medical issues that fall under this umbrella include:
- Bone and heel spurs
- Broken bones
- Bunions
- Congenital defects
- Deformities caused by arthritis
- Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
- Fractures
- Hammer toe
- High arches or flat feet
- Infections
- Ligament injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendon injuries
- Tumors
Procedure Details
The nature of reconstructive foot and ankle surgery varies from patient to patient depending on individual needs. The following implants are used to treat foot and ankle conditions:
- Grafts (bone, tendon, skin or cartilage)
- Flaps (skin, fat or muscle)
- Plates and screws
- Soft tissue anchors
Surgeons can use arthroscopic procedures to remotely perform procedures to repair damaged bones and tendons.
What to Expect
Many reconstructive foot and ankle procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, though more serious conditions (like infection) will require an inpatient procedure. Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, as with any procedure, does come with risks, such as:
- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma (blood clot)
- Infection
Effectiveness
With proper care and physical therapy, it is possible for many patients to return to work within a few days if their job is not physically demanding. The length of a patient’s recovery period will be determined during consultation with a doctor.
When conservative treatments fail, Tampa General Hospital’s board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons can use cutting-edge technology to achieve world-class results for patients with bothersome foot and ankle conditions.