When Is Foot And Ankle Surgery Recommended? The Surprising Truth

Foot and ankle surgery may seem like a scary proposition. But, in some cases, it is the best option for restoring your health. There are several instances when your doctor may recommend foot and ankle surgery. Here are some of the most common reasons why foot and ankle surgery may be necessary.

You Have a Foot Fracture That Has Not Healed

If you have a foot fracture that is not healing properly, you may need surgery. That's because fractures can become stuck or jammed together, hindering the natural healing process.

In these cases, surgery aims to push the bones back into place so that they can begin to knit back together naturally. Surgery might also stop excessive bleeding, which can make it difficult for the fractured bone to heal effectively. Overall, surgery for an unhealed bone fracture may be necessary if you have the following:

• Persistent inflammation
• Pain
• Limited range of motion after weeks of rest

So if you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can advise whether surgical intervention might be the best course of action to restore full function and mobility to your injured foot.

You Have a Severely Sprained Ankle

If you have a severely sprained ankle, you may require surgery to fully repair the damage and prevent long-term complications.

Your podiatrist may use radiographic imaging techniques like x-rays and MRI scans. These tests evaluate the extent of the injury and assess whether or not surgery is necessary.

Generally, surgery may be recommended if there is significant displacement in your ankle joint, which can cause inflammation and pain. There are also instances where ligament tears are significant enough to warrant surgical repair.

Once these damaged tissues are repaired through surgery, follow your doctor's recommendations for rehabilitation. They can help you recover from your injury and return to normal function as quickly as possible.

You Have Torn Tendons

If you have a serious injury to your tendons, such as a tear or rupture, surgery may be the best option to help restore your mobility and ease your pain. Tendon injuries in the foot can severely limit the range of motion in your joints, making it difficult or even impossible to perform everyday tasks.

Surgery can correct any damage to your tendon tissue and reconnect torn ends. Surgical intervention can often help to alleviate these mobility issues. Additionally, tendon tears can also cause pain and discomfort due to inflammation and swelling.

By reducing this inflammation through surgery and removing damaged tissue, your foot can function normally and heal quickly from the injury.