SERVICES
FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY
Foot and ankle surgery can treat severe arthritis, bunions, ruptured tendons, and other conditions affecting the feet and ankles. Surgery for the ankles and feet is usually only considered when nonsurgical treatments have failed to deliver the desired outcomes. However, some conditions and severe wounds like ankle fractures require emergency care.
Types of Foot and Ankle Surgery
The following are the different types of foot and ankle surgeries that Dr Oosthuysen performs:
1. Achilles Tendon Pathology
The Achilles tendon is a powerful, fibrous cord located in the lower leg. The calf muscles and the heel are joined by it. It is your body's most prominent tendon. This tendon allows you to sprint, jump, and move more quickly. The term "Achilles tendinopathy" describes a variety of pathological alterations that affect the tendon, most commonly due to overuse and excessive, ongoing tension. One type of surgery to repair a damaged Achilles tendon is Achilles tendon repair surgery.
2. Ankle Arthritis is treated by Ankle Fusion or Ankle Replacement.
An ankle joint's articular cartilage degenerates, causing ankle arthritis. Surgery to connect your ankle's bones into a single unit is known as an ankle fusion. The term ankle arthrodesis is also used. A common reason for the operation is to treat ankle arthritis. A broken ankle joint is replaced with an artificial implant during an ankle replacement procedure.
3. Ankle Fractures
The most frequent injuries that affect the ankle are ankle fractures, typically resulting from sudden twisting. A bone can be broken in two different ways, causing a fracture. The severity of tibia, fibula or both fractures in the ankle can range from minor avulsion wounds to catastrophic shattering fractures. The majority of surgeries for ankle fractures include internal fixation and open reduction (ORIF).
Open reduction and internal fixation is a form of surgery to stabilise and heal a broken bone.
4. Ankle ligament reconstruction
Depending on the condition, you may need to undergo ankle ligament reconstruction surgery to tighten and stabilise your ankle ligaments. Lateral ankle instability and sprains are both treated with this procedure. In addition, the surgery is referred to as the Brostrom method. A loose or strained ligament outside your ankle may require surgery.
5. Arthroscopic ankle procedures
An ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to inspect or treat the tissues inside or around your ankle. The most frequent reasons for ankle arthroscopy are to treat inflammation and remove scar tissue and tiny bone and cartilage fragments.
6. Bunion surgery
Treating a deformity as a result of a bunion and lessening pain with surgery is possible. A screw, wire, or plate is inserted to hold the removed arthritic joint surfaces together while the bones recover. The term "bunionectomy" is used to describe this treatment.
7. Flatfoot deformity
Acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), often referred to as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, is a chronic disorder in which the soft tissues inside the foot and ankle are repeatedly loaded during walking and standing. As a result, flat feet can hurt and make walking difficult if the arches don't form or collapse later in life.
8. Lesser toe deformities
Regular anatomical changes that upset the balance between the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles are what lead to less severe toe abnormalities. Types of lesser toe deformities that Dr Oosthuysen treats include:
- Claw toes - When your toes flex into a claw-a condition known as a claw toe, they dig into the bottom of your shoes and leave you with painful calluses on the tips of your toes.
- Hammer toe - A hammer toe is a malformation in which your toe curves or bends downward rather than forward.
- Mallet toes - A mallet toe is a distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint malformation that can be rigid or flexible. The toe joint bends upward in this position.
9. Midfoot and forefoot arthritis
A common midfoot or forefoot arthritis symptom is midfoot pain and swelling, which are made worse by standing and walking. It may be challenging to stand or even walk without experiencing pain. Forefoot or midfoot arthritis often develops gradually over several years in most patients.
10. Morton's neuroma
An ailment known as Morton's neuroma affects the ball of the foot. A Morton's neuroma occurs when one of the nerves leading to your toes thickens in the vicinity. Usually, Morton's neuroma affects the third, fourth, or second toe and causes burning pain, tingling, or numbness.
11. Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common orthopaedic concern and a significant contributor to heel discomfort. The thick tissue band on the bottom of each foot between the heel bone and toes swells. The ligaments may be damaged or torn when your foot is subjected to too much pressure.
12. Tendon transfers for foot drop and other foot muscle deficiencies
Difficulty elevating the front of the foot is known as foot drop, sometimes known as drop foot. The condition only affects one foot and may change how you walk. A tendon transfer is the movement of a tendon from one part of the foot or ankle to another. The procedure can assist in treating various foot muscle deficits and the condition known as foot drop.
13. Complex foot and ankle trauma
Fractures with significant soft tissue damage, neurovascular injury, and joint involvement are characteristics of complex trauma to the foot and ankle. Types of complex foot and ankle traumas that Dr Oosthuysen treats include:
- Calcaneus fracture - A severe injury known as a calcaneus fracture, or broken heel bone, is most frequently brought on by trauma.
- Lisfranc injuries - The midfoot bones can break, or its supporting ligaments can tear, leading to Lisfranc injuries.
- Pilon fractures - A pilonfracture is a very uncommon bone break that occurs in your ankle at the base of your tibia.