Patient Education
Ankle
Care and Management
Achilles Tendon Lengthening
This procedure is designed to treat problems with the Achilles tendon, such as chronic tendonitis or a short or contracted Achilles tendon. A series of cuts is created in the tendon to allow it to stretch and lengthen.
Ankle Fracture Surgery
This surgery fixes an unstable break in your ankle. The break could be in the small bone of your lower leg, called the “fibula” or the larger bone, called the “tibia.” Sometimes, they’re both broken. Your surgeon will stabilize your bones so your ankle can heal.
Ankle Fusion, Transfibular
This surgical procedure is performed to treat severe arthritis or injury of the ankle joint. During the procedure, the surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage and fuses the joint. This stabilizes the ankle and relieves pain.
Arthroscopic Articular Cartilage Repair (Ankle)
This minimally-invasive procedure is performed to stimulate the growth of fibrocartilage in an injured joint. Fibrocartilage is a tough, dense, fibrous material that can fill in areas where smooth, glassy cartilage has become damaged or worn away. This procedure may be performed with general or regional anesthesia.
Arthroscopy of the Ankle
This procedure identifies and treats problems in your ankle. With it, the surgeon can access your ankle without creating a large incision.
Debridement of the Achilles Tendon
This outpatient procedure is designed to repair a damaged Achilles tendon. During the procedure, injured and scarred tissue is removed. This can reduce or eliminate the pain of tendinitis.
Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction (ALR)
This surgery corrects an unstable ankle. It tightens one or more ligaments that support your ankle. It helps people who’ve had repeated ankle sprains. It can also help people who have certain foot deformities.
PRP Therapy for Achilles Tendon Pain
If you have pain in your Achilles tendon, platelet rich plasma therapy may help. It uses parts of your own blood to help your body heal itself. PRP can help your ankle feel better and work better.
PRP Therapy for Peroneal Tendonitis
If you have painful tendons on the outer side of your ankle, platelet rich plasma therapy may help. It uses parts of your own blood to help your body heal itself. PRP can help your ankle feel better and work better.
Radiofrequency Treatment for Achilles Tendinosis (TOPAZ® Coblation®)
During this procedure, the surgeon uses a specialized radiofrequency instrument to break up scar tissue in a painfully-inflamed Achilles tendon. The coblation procedure can be performed as a minimally-invasive procedure through the skin, or it can be performed as part of an open surgical procedure. This animation will show the minimally-invasive technique.
Conditions
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendons are thick and powerful bands of fibrous tissue. They connect your calf muscles to your heel bones. The tendons help you walk, run and jump. And that means they are under a lot of stress, making injuries to the Achilles tendons common.
Ankle Sprains
Ligaments are fibrous, elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize the bones. An ankle sprain is a common, painful injury that occurs when one or more of the ankle ligaments is stretched beyond the normal range of motion. Sprains can occur as a result of sudden twisting, turning or rolling movements.
Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
This is a pain on the outer side of your ankle. It’s a lasting pain that you may feel all the time. It can make it hard for you to walk and run, and it can increase the possibility of ankle sprains.
Fracture of the Talus
This condition occurs when the talus, a bone that connects the foot and ankle, develops a fracture from a severe impact or fall. The talus is an important bone of the foot, as it aids in walking on uneven ground and in weight transfer across the ankle joint.
High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Ligament Injury)
This condition is a sprain of one or more of the ligaments that hold the tibia and fibula together at the ankle. This joint, called the ankle syndesmosis, is made up of ligaments on the front and rear of the ankle, and in the space between the tibia and fibula.
Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus
This is an injury of the protective cartilage on the top of the talus (the ankle bone). You’ll find this cartilage where the talus touches the tibia and fibula (the bones of the lower leg). An osteochondral lesion can be a painful problem.
Peroneal Tendon Tears
This condition is a tearing of one or both peroneal tendons, which travel down the lower leg, behind the lateral malleolus and along the outer side of the ankle.
Big Toe
Care and Management
Anesthesia (Local)
Local anesthesia makes a part of the body numb to prevent a patient from feeling pain during a medical procedure. Local anesthesia is commonly used for many minor outpatient surgeries.
Bunion Correction with Scarf and Akin Osteotomy
This procedure is used to correct a bunion, a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. During this procedure, portions of bone are removed and the bones of the foot and toe are aligned properly, eliminating the bump on the inner side of the foot.
Bunionectomy (Chevron Bunionectomy)
This outpatient procedure is performed to correct a bunion, a deformity of the toe joint. During the procedure, the surgeon may remove excess bone and then shift the toe into proper alignment. This surgery is commonly performed with regional anesthesia.
Bunionectomy With Wedge Osteotomy
This outpatient procedure is performed to correct a bunion, a deformity of the toe joint. This surgery is commonly performed with regional anesthesia.
Cheilectomy
This surgical procedure is used to help relieve symptoms of hallux rigidus by removing bony growths on top of the big toe’s main joint. This procedure improves joint movement and is most successful in patients with less severe arthritis.
First Metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) Total Joint Replacement (MOVEMENT™)
This procedure uses a small, two-piece implant to cover damaged or missing articular cartilage in the MTP joint, where the base of the great toe meets the foot. The implant restores mobility to the bones of this joint, allowing them to glide smoothly against each other. This procedure is commonly used to treat hallux rigidus, also called stiff big toe.
First Metatarsal-phalangeal Joint (MTP) Arthrodesis
This surgical procedure is performed to help relieve pain in the front of the foot and correct deformities in the MTP joint of the big toe caused by injury, arthritis or genetic defect. The procedure fuses the bone at the base of the big toe to the first metatarsal bone of the foot.
Lapidus Procedure for Bunion Correction
This procedure is used to correct a bunion, a bony bump at the base of the great toe caused by excess bone growth and misalignment of the bones of the foot and toe. This procedure removes the bump and brings the toe back into proper alignment.
Conditions
Bunion
This deformity affects the joint at the base of the big toe. It is a bony bump beneath the skin on the inner side of the foot. A bunion starts small, but over time it can grow to become very large. Bunions are more common in women.
Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe)
This is a type of arthritis that affects the base of the big toe. It forms in the metatarsophalangeal joint (we call it the “MTP” joint). With hallux rigidus, the protective cartilage on the ends of these bones wears away. Bone rubs against bone. Bony growths called “bone spurs” may form. Your toe stiffens, and this can make walking uncomfortable.
Ingrown Toenail
This common problem happens when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin of your toe instead of over it. The nail may dig in deep. And that can be very painful.
Sesamoiditis
This injury involves two small bones under the foot near the big toe. They are called “sesamoid” bones. They aren’t directly connected to other bones of the foot. Instead, the sesamoids are embedded in tendons. With sesamoiditis, these bones and the tendons around them become irritated and inflamed.
Foot
Care and Management
Diabetes and Foot Care
It’s important for people with diabetes to take care of their feet. Because of diabetes, you may lose feeling in your feet. A minor foot injury can go unnoticed. It may become infected and lead to the loss of a toe, foot or leg.
Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF)
This procedure relieves the pain of chronic plantar fasciitis. This condition is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that stretches across the sole of the foot. This procedure may be performed with local or regional anesthesia and with sedation.
Excision of Mortons Neuromas
Morton’s neuroma is an enlarged nerve, compressed or pinched between the bones and the ligament that holds them together. This procedure eases the pain by releasing pressure from the nerve or removing the nerve.
Metatarsal Fracture Fixation (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation)
This procedure is used to correct a fracture of one or more of the long bones of the foot. During this procedure, the surgeon stabilizes the bones with hardware to allow the bones to heal properly.
Plantar Fascia Release (Open Technique)
This outpatient procedure is a surgical cutting of part of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that supports the foot’s arch. By partially cutting this tissue, the surgeon releases tension and allows the tendon to lengthen. This procedure is commonly performed to relieve pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Radiofrequency Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis (TOPAZ® Coblation®)
During this procedure, the surgeon uses a radiofrequency device called a TOPAZ microdebrider to break up scar tissue in a painfully-inflamed plantar fascia (a band of tissue at the bottom of the foot). The coblation procedure can be performed as a minimally-invasive procedure through the skin, or it can be performed as part of an open surgical procedure. This animation will show the minimally-invasive technique.
Subtalar Implant for Adult Acquired Flatfoot
This procedure is designed to limit hyperpronation, an excessive range of motion of the subtalar joint typically caused by hereditary underdevelopment of the talus or the calcaneus. Hyperpronation can allow the foot to collapse inward and downward. During this procedure, a small device is implanted between the talus and calcaneus to correct this abnormal motion and stabilize the ankle. Several implant styles are available.
Conditions
Accessory Navicular Problems
An accessory navicular is an extra bone on the inner side of your foot. It’s connected to the bone we call the “navicular,” which helps form the foot’s arch. Most people don’t have an accessory navicular, and you can have one and not know it. But in some people, this extra bone causes problems.
Adult Acquired Flatfoot
This is a collapse of your foot’s arch. It happens over time, usually in just one foot but sometimes in both. As your arch collapses, the bones of your foot may gradually shift out of alignment. This can cause pain and other problems.
Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
This condition is an abnormally high arch of the foot that results in an excessive amount of body weight being directed to the ball and heel of the foot. Cavus foot can be congenital or acquired, may develop at any age, and can affect one or both feet.
Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)
This is a problem that some babies are born with. One or both feet are turned inward and downward. A clubfoot is hard to push into the correct position.
Lisfranc Injury
This is an injury of the middle part of the foot, where the metatarsal bones of the forefoot connect to the cuneiform bones of the midfoot. It can involve torn ligaments, broken bones or a combination of both. And, it can involve more than one joint.
Metatarsalgia
The ball of your foot absorbs a lot of stress when you run and jump. It can become injured and sore. We call this pain “metatarsalgia.” The pain can keep you from exercising and from playing sports. And it can be a problem for active people.
Morton’s Neuroma
This condition is a thickening of the nerve sheath that surrounds a nerve in the ball of the foot. It most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes. It also commonly occurs between the second and third toes.
Navicular Stress Fracture
This condition is an injury to the navicular, one of the tarsal bones of the midfoot. This type of injury is common in athletes, particularly those who participate in high-impact sports that require jumping, sprinting and sudden directional changes. Track and field athletes are particularly susceptible.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia. This thick band of connective tissue travels across the bottom of the foot between the toes and the heel. It supports the foot’s natural arch. It stretches and becomes taut whenever the foot bears weight.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
This is a problem with a tendon supporting the foot’s arch. We call it the posterior tibial tendon. It connects the calf muscle to the bones on the inner side of the foot. With posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, the tendon becomes inflamed or torn. Your arch becomes unstable, and it may collapse.
General
Care and Management
Cold Laser Therapy
This technique uses laser light to promote the healing of injured tissues. It may be used to replace invasive procedures such as injections and surgery. In some cases, it may reduce the need for physical therapy.
Diabetes and Choosing the Right Foods
Because you have diabetes, it’s important that you choose the right foods. Making a poor food choice or missing a single meal can raise or lower your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) to an unsafe level. Choosing the right foods can help you control your blood glucose level and your body weight.
Diabetes and Exercise
Your diabetes management plan is not complete without a focus on physical activity. Regular exercise helps you control your weight. And, it helps keep your blood glucose levels on target. Daily exercise also lowers your risk for heart disease and other serious complications of diabetes.
Diabetes and Foot Care
It’s important for people with diabetes to take care of their feet. Because of diabetes, you may lose feeling in your feet. A minor foot injury can go unnoticed. It may become infected and lead to the loss of a toe, foot or leg.
Diabetes and Healthy Eating
If you have diabetes, you know it’s important to keep your blood glucose level within a safe range. One of the best ways to do this is by eating a healthy diet. Let’s take a few minutes to learn about some good eating habits that can make a difference for you.
Orthotics
If you have pain in your foot, knee, hip or back, your podiatrist may recommend orthotics. These are supports you wear in one or both shoes. They can help keep your body aligned correctly and comfortably. Orthotics can correct your posture, and reduce wear and tear on your joints.
Podiatry
This branch of medicine deals with care of the foot, ankle and lower leg. A doctor who practices podiatry is called a “podiatrist.” These doctors understand foot problems and how to correct them.
What Does a Podiatrist Do?
Having trouble with your foot or ankle? You may need to see a podiatrist. That’s a doctor who specializes in foot and ankle care. A podiatrist can treat injuries and diagnose illness. A podiatrist can fit you for things like orthotics, custom shoes and braces. They can also perform surgery.
Conditions
Corns and Calluses
These are patches of rough, thick skin. Many people have them on their feet. They can form because of pressure or friction, often because of shoes that don’t fit properly. Corns and calluses are your skin’s way of protecting itself. They are similar, but they are two different things.
Diabetic Foot
This term is used to describe foot problems that stem from diabetes. These problems can be difficult to treat.
Gout
This is a form of arthritis. It causes pain and swelling in your joints. For many people, it starts in the big toe.
Osteomyelitis
If you have an infection in a bone, you have osteomyelitis. It’s a serious condition that can cause part of your bone to die. And, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
Plantar Wart
This is a type of wart that forms on the sole of the foot. It causes a patch of thickened skin. Plantar warts are common, and they aren’t harmful. But they can be tender, and they can be embarrassing.
Heel
Care and Management
Haglund’s Deformity Surgery (Resection Method)
This treatment removes a bony bump on the back of your heel. That bump is called a “Haglund’s deformity.” It can cause heel pain.
Triple Arthrodesis
This surgical procedure is used to help relieve pain in the ankle joint and correct deformities in the hindfoot caused by injury, arthritis, or genetic defect. The procedure fuses the three main joints in the hindfoot that allow side-to-side movement – the calcaneo-cuboid, talonavicular, and subtalar joints.
Conditions
Haglund’s Deformity (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis)
This condition is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that can aggravate the retrocalcaneal bursa, a fluid-filled sac located on the back of the heel between the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus. The bursa can become inflamed and swollen, a condition called bursitis. Haglund’s deformity most commonly affects young women.
Lesser Toes
Care and Management
Anesthesia (Monitored Anesthesia Care, MAC)
Monitored anesthesia care is a type of anesthesia that makes the patient feel very relaxed. It reduces painful sensations and the awareness of pain. It is not intended to put the patient to sleep, and will wear off quickly after a procedure. Monitored anesthesia care is commonly used for simple procedures that can be completed quickly.
Bunionette Deformity Correction (Distal Fifth Metatarsal Osteotomy)
This surgical procedure is performed to correct a bunionette, a bony bump on the outer side of the foot at the base of the fifth toe. During this procedure, the surgeon realigns the head of the metatarsal and removes excess bone to eliminate the prominence and give the foot a more natural shape.
Bunionette Deformity Correction (Fifth Metatarsal Partial Head Resection)
This surgical procedure is performed to correct a bunionette, a bony bump on the outer side of the foot at the base of the fifth toe. The procedure removes this excess bone growth, eliminating the bump so that the bunionette does not press painfully against shoes.
Jones Fracture Fixation (Intramedullary Screw)
This procedure is used to correct a Jones fracture – a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a screw into the metatarsal to stabilize the bone and allow it to heal properly.
Weil Osteotomy for Claw Toe
This procedure relieves the symptoms of claw toe, persistent metatarsalgia, metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joint synovitis or MTP subluxation by shortening the end of the metatarsal at the base of the affected toe. This provides room for the toe to relax and return to its normal position.
Conditions
Bunionette Deformity (Tailor’s Bunion)
This bony bump forms on the outer side of the foot at the base of the fifth toe. Like a traditional bunion, a bunionette can be sore and painful. The skin covering the bump can become red and irritated.
Hammer Toe
This condition is a deformity in which a toe bends downward at the middle joint. The second toe is the one most likely to be affected, but this deformity can occur in other toes as well. Sometimes, more than one toe is affected.
Jones Fracture
This is a break of a bone in the foot called the “fifth metatarsal.” It’s on your foot’s outer side, behind the little toe. With a Jones fracture, this bone breaks on the end furthest from the toe. The fifth metatarsal doesn’t have a good blood supply there, so healing can be difficult.
MTP Synovitis (Capsulitis)
This condition is a sharp or aching pain in the ball of the foot that is most often centered beneath the base of the second toe. This pain is an indication that the bone at the base of the toe, called the proximal phalanx, is beginning to separate from the long bone of the foot, called the metatarsal.