Patient Education: Medical Links

Foot & Ankle Surgery

Overview
The foot and ankle is the most heavily used and abused anatomy in the body. Disorders of the foot and ankle can have a major effect on the individual on the ability to walk, participate in sports or recreational activities and even wear shoes. Disorders, such as diabetes, can diminish the circulation to the foot and can result in problems that could potentially result in the loss of the foot or leg.

Potential Problems Requiring Treatment
Some of the more common orthopedic foot and ankle disorders that require attention are ankle instability, painful flat feet, bunions, neuromas, and hammertoes. Ulcers, sores and infections in diabetic patients or other individuals with poor circulation to the feet need to pay especially close attention to their feet in order to avoid potentially serious conditions that could result in loss of the extremity.

Treatment Considerations
Many of the problems can be treated non-operatively. Good medical care and patient education are important. Many of the foot and ankle disorders are very complex and require medical knowledge, complex understanding of the surgical and anatomical principals of not just the foot but also the leg, back and upper extremities. We strongly recommend that before any individual consent for surgery that they make sure that the individual that will be performing the surgery is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

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