Our feet and ankles will see a lot of miles throughout life. In fact, the average person will walk around 75,000 to over 100,000 miles in a lifetime. That’s a lot of wear and tear and also drives home how important our feet are. Unfortunately, wear and tear, accidents, and other issues can necessitate foot and ankle surgery. Live in Bordentown, Columbus, and Mount Laurel, Philadelphia, PA, or elsewhere nearby? Swing by the Foot and Ankle Group to chat with a podiatrist ASAP.
Unfortunately, if issues with your feet and ankles aren’t addressed in a timely fashion, your pains and other problems may worsen. Treatment may also become more difficult as you may aggravate the issues in your legs.
Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Podiatrists are highly specialized doctors. Similar to how dentists focus on teeth and oral health, a podiatrist focuses on the legs. From the get-go, podiatrists study feet and ankles. This allows them to develop highly specialized skills and in-depth knowledge of the workings of your lower limbs. Many podiatrists specialize even further, focusing on ankle and foot surgery.
With podiatric surgery, local and regional anesthesia is often used. This means your foot, ankle, and legs are numbed, blocking nerves from sending pain signals. Local and regional anesthesia minimizes the risk of discomfort.
That said, some people elect for general anesthesia and to be put into a deep state of sleep. This often makes for an easier surgery for the patient. That said, it’s important to talk with your ankle and foot doctor about what type of anesthesia is best.
Generally speaking, ankle and foot surgeries take between one and two hours. That said, in some cases, surgeries may take substantially more time to complete. A simple procedure may also take less time.
After surgery, your podiatrist can educate you on proper recovery. Often, it’s recommended that you stay off your feet for six to twelve weeks. Further, you may need to wear a boot or something similar to reduce the risk of straining your legs.
Is Surgery Needed?
Often, podiatrists and other medical practitioners will try therapy and other measures first. Podiatrists can also prescribe medications for foot and ankle-related issues. Some anti-inflammation drugs or pain medications in combination with rest may help address your issues. That said, in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Without surgery, your condition could worsen, which will impact your quality of life and may lead to more expensive medical bills later on. Want to learn more about foot and ankle surgery and live in Bordentown, Columbus, and Mount Laurel, Philadelphia, PA, or elsewhere nearby? Stop by the Foot and Ankle Group to talk with a podiatrist today.
You can also contact us at:
Mount Laurel- (856) 234-0195
Philadelphia- (215) 332-5300
Bordentown- (609) 291-0960
Columbus- (609) 298-7000
