When it comes to your health, our first hope at Foot Specialists of Long Island is that you are able to stay safe and healthy. To aid in this we can provide information and prevention tips. Our next hope is that conservative treatment will take care of the condition. For many of our patients, it does. In some cases, though, a surgical procedure is necessary.
We are going to take a look at the various components of forefoot surgery, including when it might be used, what risks are entailed, the various procedures, and the recovery process. Knowing about these areas will help you make an informed decision for your foot care.
Conditions That May Need Forefoot Surgery
This is not an exhaustive list, but conditions that may require foot surgery include:
- Bunions – While the symptoms of a bunion can be addressed through conservative treatment, the condition itself requires surgical intervention to correct it. Bunions are progressive in nature, but various procedures are available to realign the bones or remove the signature bump.
- Hammertoes – Hammertoes—and the related claw and mallet toes—are also progressive and require surgery to straighten out the affected toes.
- Neuromas – Morton’s neuromas are often located at the base of the foot between the third and fourth toes and can cause painful sensations. Some case require the offensive neuroma to be removed surgically to provide relief.
- Arthritic conditions – Some patients who suffer from the pain and stiffness that accompanies arthritis benefit from various surgeries like fusions, arthroscopy, joint resurfacing, and osteotomy.
- Lisfranc injuries – The Lisfranc joint complex bridges the hind and midfoot areas and can develop a variety of injuries, including sprains, fractures, and dislocations. A Lisfranc injury can be caused by either direct or indirect forces.
Surgical Procedures
The actual procedure we elect to use will be determined by various factors, such as the condition being addressed and the goals of treatment. Some forms of forefoot surgery procedures include:
- Osteotomy – This procedure entails removal or cutting of bone tissue
- Fusion – this procedure fuses two bones together to prevent the joint from being able to collapse and open. It is fairly common for arthritic conditions.
- Arthroscopy – In an arthroscopic procedure, tiny incisions are made and the work is performed with the assistance of a tiny camera. This minimizes the exposure of internal tissues to the external environment and small incisions heal more quickly.
- Synovectomy – Removing synovium—joint lining—is one technique to relieve pain due to inflammation that comes with various forms of arthritis.
- Bunionectomy – This term can refer to several different methods of correcting a bunion.
Risks vs. Benefits
Any invasive medical procedure is bound to have the inherent potential for certain risks. Knowing this, it is important to weigh out the possible side effects and complications versus the benefits that can be achieved through the forefoot surgery. We will outline these in advance so you can make an informed decision regarding your foot care.
Surgery Recovery
For optimal healing and recovery, it is essential to follow our postoperative instructions for foot surgery. We provide these so you are able to recover in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of issues possible. Depending on your procedure, recovery can entail rest, icing, medication, and physical therapy.
Be sure to check with us in advance of your surgery so we can provide you with a realistic timeline for recovery. This will be useful as you determine how much time you need to request off from work and plan out any arrangements you may need to make for traveling and other practical considerations.
Forefoot Surgery for Our Long Island, NY Patients
Naturally, our goal is to treat your foot condition with the use of conservative treatment methods, but we know this isn’t always possible. When we reach the point of considering a surgical procedure, though, you can take comfort in the fact that Mark Gasparini, D.P.M. is experienced, skilled, and always has your health in mind.
Dealing with forefoot issues? Contact our Massapequa, NY podiatrist office today. Simply give us a call at (516) 804-9038 or fill out our online form and we will set up your appointment for you.