Treatment Of Foot Problems

Although foot surgery is not usually performed for cosmetic reasons alone, it can often improve the appearance of your feet.

Anatomy of the Foot

Before you have your foot surgery, it helps to understand how your foot works in supporting you and carrying you from place to place. Knowing how skin and bone heal following surgery can help you to better understand the importance of post-operative foot care during your recovery.

Ligaments are flexible bands of fiber joining bone to bone. The foot has over 100 ligaments. Joints form where two bones meet. The 33 complex joints in each foot permit flexibility. Bones form the basic supporting structure of your foot. There are 26 bones in each foot. Tendons are tough, fibrous cords that connect muscle to bones. Muscles help move the feet and toes. When a muscle contracts, it pulls on a tendon, which in turn moves the bone.

The Healing Process

All foot surgeries involve the skin, and in some cases, the bone inside must be cut as well. When you understand the healing process, you can help make your foot surgery a success.

Skin heals in phases. First, it grows together so the stitches can be removed. The scar may look slightly inflamed; some redness and swelling are normal. After about six months, the scar blends with the surrounding skin.

Bone also heals in phases. A bone-like "cement" forms, bridging the affected bone and allowing it to bear weight. Later, the extra bone is dissolved, and in about six months, the bone is back to normal strength.

Bunions

A bunion is an enlargement of bone in the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions are most often inherited. Tight shoes do not cause bunions, but they can aggravate them. There are several types of bunions and surgical treatments for each. (See Bunions)

Hammertoes

A muscle imbalance or abnormal bone length can make one or more small toes buckle under, causing their joints to contract. This in turn, causes the tendons to shorten. Corns (build-ups of dead skin cells where shoes press and rub) often form on the contracted joint, and may become irritated and infected.

Flexible Hammertoes

When hammertoes are flexible, you can straighten the buckled joint with your hand. Flexible hammertoes may progress to rigid hammertoes over time. Corns, irritation, and pain are common symptoms. Function is often limited as well.

Rigid Hammertoes

A rigid hammertoe is fixed; you can no longer straighten the buckled joint with your hand. Corns, irritation, pain, and loss of function may be more severe for rigid hammertoes than for flexible ones.

Curled Fifth Toe

The little toe may curl inward underneath its neighbor so that the nail faces outward. With this inherited problem, the fat pad on the bottom of the toe (normally used for walking) loses contact with the ground. Corns and pain may result.

Plantar Calluses

Second Metatarsal Plantar Callus

When the second metatarsal bone is longer or lower than the others, it hits the ground first - and with more force than it is equipped to handle at every step. As a result, the skin under this bone thickens. Like a rock in your shoe, the callus causes irritation and pain. The treatment for this is an osteotomy. The second metatarsal bone is cut, and the end of the bone is then "lifted" and aligned with the other bones.

Heel Spurs

A heel spur is a bony overgrowth on your heel bone (see Plantar Fascitis). It may be stimulated by muscles that pull from the heel bone along the bottom of the foot. High-arched feet are especially apt to have too-tight muscles here. Heel spurs may cause pain when the foot bears weight. They can be treated first with an injection, anti-inflammatory medication, as well as arch supports if indicated. If this fails, they can then be treated with surgical excision and a plantar release. The band of tight muscles is released to relieve the abnormal stress. The bone spur is surgically removed.

Neuromas

When a nerve is pinched between two metatarsal bones (usually the third and forth metatarsals), enlargement of the nerve may occur. Abnormal bone structure contributes to the cause, but too-tight shoes can aggravate the condition. You may experience sharp pain in your toes that may become severe enough to keep you from walking.

Treatment

Excision: A small portion of the nerve is removed. As a result of this, a small area is usually permanently numbed, but this is preferable to pain.

Follow-up Care

You can usually bear weight right away, but you must return to have your dressing changed. Keep your incision dry until the stitches are removed.

High-Arched Feet (Pes Cavus)

The shape of your foot often determines the kinds of foot problems you will have. Your feet may have unusually high arches due to an imbalance of muscles and nerves, which is usually inherited. Too high arches can cause various problems - tired or aching feet; and calluses. High arches are not usually investigated with surgery but most often treated with arch supports.

Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Flat feet can be hereditary and are caused by a muscle imbalance. Feet with low, relaxed arches may bring on such problems as hammertoes and bunions; arch, foot, and leg fatigue; calf pain; and an overly tight heel cord (which makes the foot even flatter). Loose joints move to freely, causing pain and instability. Flat feet are also usually treated with arch supports.

Orthotics

Orthotics (also called orthoses or orthotic devices) are prescribed, custom0made arch supports. They fit inside most shoes and "bring the floor up to your feet."

A podiatrist may prescribe them to help correct such problems as high arches and flat feet. Also, following some foot surgeries, orthotics can help support the correction that was achieved.

To be fitted with orthotics, your podiatrist will first take an impression of your feet. Your orthotics are then fashioned from leather, plastic, or other materials. Their fit is checked at an office visit and adjustments can be made as you wear them. Expect an initial "breaking-in" period; you may need to build up wearing time gradually (as you would with contact lenses).

Surgery Decision

If your bunions or hammertoes are bad enough, they may need surgical correction. This is a gratifying operation that can provide both pain relief and improved appearance.

Risks

All surgery carries risks including stiffness, persistent pain and swelling, recurrence of problem, damage to nerves, hardware breakage, blood clots in the legs, anesthetic problems, inability to correct the problem, etc. Make sure you understand the risks and alternatives prior to surgery.

Post-Operative Tips

Your recovery, like your foot problem and surgery, is as unique as you are. In addition to the previous tips given on follow-up care for each surgery, here are some pointers that can help you recover quickly and without complications, and help get you back on your feet again.

Pain: To help relive pain and reduce swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, apply an ice pack to the affected area and elevate your foot above heart level, as recommended. Pain is usually most severe the second and third days after surgery, and after you first begin to walk again.

Bathing: You will need to keep your foot dry. Getting the stitches wet can lead to infection, so be sure to keep your foot outside the shower or bath.

Weight-Bearing: Bearing weight and walking can stimulate circulation and promote healing. But overtaxing a healthy foot can detract from the results of your surgery.

Shoes: Our team may give you a wide surgical shoe to wear on the affected foot. A surgical shoe stabilizes and protects the foot as it heals.

Returning to Work: How soon you can return to work depends on the type of surgery you had and the activities you job requires. You can generally return earlier to a desk job than to physical labor. Consider beforehand how much time you can take off from work until you are back on your feet.