Foot and Ankle Surgery
More than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, along with 26 bones and 33 joints, all must work together in the foot and ankle to provide a full range of pain-free motion and freedom of movement. As with any complex system in the body, even small injuries, diseases, or disorders can lead to reduced mobility or pain.
Ankle Fracture
Due to the number of bones in the ankle, the severity of an ankle fracture can vary dramatically from injury to injury. In some cases where just a single bone is fractured, a person may be able to continue walking. If several bones are fractured, a patient may not be able to put weight on the ankle for several months.
Broken ankles are most commonly the result of rotating, rolling, or twisting the ankle at an unnatural angle, tripping, or forceful impacts, such as in a car accident. There are many sports or even daily activities that can potentially lead to ankle fractures.
Whether or not surgery is required to address a broken ankle depends primarily on stability. If just one bone is broken and it’s not out of place or just slightly out of place, the ankle should be stable enough for nonsurgical treatment.
The location of the broken bone can also be a determining factor for the treatment method. These treatments can range from wearing high-top tennis shoes to having a short leg cast put on to stabilize the ankle. Frequent checkups will be required to ensure the bone does not move out of place during healing.
If the broken bone in the ankle is out of place or multiple fractures in the ankle have made it unstable, ankle surgery may be necessary to reposition the bones into their proper alignment. Special screws and metal plates will be attached to the surface of the bones to keep them in place during healing.
Our doctors use arthroscopy to perform ankle fracture repairs and promote better, faster healing and improved post-recovery ankle stability.
Bunion Surgery
Bunion surgery may be necessary if a patient’s everyday activities, such as walking or wearing shoes, become impossible to do without suffering significant pain. Surgery should also be considered in cases where the big toe is chronically inflamed or swollen, even after being treated with anti-inflammatory medication. In extreme cases, the big toe can cross and overlap with the smaller toes. In extreme cases like these, bunion surgery is often the only effective treatment.
During surgery, an orthopaedic surgeon will realign the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), which is at the base of the big toe. They will also repair the surrounding tendons and ligaments by shortening or lengthening them depending on the specific issues contributing to the bunion. Screws or plates may be used to keep the bones straighter and maintain the new alignment.
Achilles Tendon Tear / Rupture
The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, is the largest tendon in the body. It is essential for standing on one’s toes, running, and jumping. Although it is the strongest tendon in the body, it receives a limited supply of blood and is held at very high tension, making it vulnerable to injury and slow to heal when damaged.
Achilles tendon tears can range from small tears to large tears, with the more severe injuries causing pain, swelling, and impaired movement. These tears can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly during an accident or strenuous activity. An Achilles tendon rupture occurs when the tendon snaps and separates. It is often accompanied by a loud popping noise.
During Achilles tendon surgery, the two ends of the ruptured or torn tendon are sutured back together. Once the surgery is complete, your leg will need to be immobilized in a cast or walking boot. Once the tendon is healed, physical therapy will be required to rebuild strength and regain full mobility. The entire recovery period can take between four to six months.