If you are experiencing chronic pain in your feet then a viable option for relieving that pain is foot surgery to alleviate you discomfort or to restore the function of your foot. Some types of foot problems that may require surgery include:
Bunions
This where the bone and tissue around the joint of the big toe becomes enlarged, red, swollen, and inflamed, making wearing shoes and walking uncomfortable and difficult.
Hammertoes
Is an imbalance in the tendon or joints of the toes. Because the toes tend to buckle with this condition they may become painful which when shoes can irritate and add painful pressure. Corn and callus can form making it difficult to wear shoes.
Neuroma
A benign enlargement of a nerve segment caused by irritation and is most often found between the third and fourth toes. A few things that cause this condition are trauma, arthritis, high-heeled shoes, or an abnormal bone structure. Burning, numbness, swelling, pain, tingling in the ball of the foot or in the adjacent toes are just a few of the symptoms that you may experience with this condition.
Bone spurs
An overgrowth of bone caused by pressure, trauma, or reactive stress of a ligament or tendon. Bone spurs are painful and can restrict motion of a joint. Spurs can grow under the toenail plate, causing nail deformity and pain.
Preoperative Testing and Care
If you are going to have foot surgery there are specific tests and exams that you will need to have to help you obtain a more successful outcome. Your surgeon will review your medical history and medical conditions. Evaluation of any diseases, illnesses, allergies, and current medications will take place prior to surgery. Other tests used to determine your health status that your surgeon may require are blood studies, urinalysis, EKG, and X-rays.
Postoperative Care
The length of your hospital stay will be determined by the type of foot surgery that you have done, this will also determine the kind of care that you will require after your surgery to insure that your recovery is rapid and uneventful. You may need rest ice, compression, and elevation. After surgery it may be necessary for you to wear splints, surgical shoes, casts, crutches, or canes for a period of time until your foot heals.
Remember that your feet are supposed to hurt. You should see a physician as soon as possible when you start feeling pain in your feet. Your feet have to last you a lifetime so you need to take care of them.
