Have you been having persistent trouble with your feet or ankles? Conservative treatments, including physical therapy exercises and orthotics, can do wonders with patience and consistency. But some patients need foot or ankle surgery to correct their problems. Get an idea of when  foot  or ankle surgery may be needed and find out for sure by visiting podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Agricola at Prestige Podiatry in Carmel or Indianapolis, IN.

Types of Foot or Ankle Surgery
Podiatrists use a variety of surgical techniques to correct foot and ankle problems. Here are some of the types of surgeries recommended for patients with various ailments:

- Bunionectomy (to remove or realign unsightly bunion deformities).
- Ankle arthroplasty (joints in the ankle are reconstructed or replaced).
- Metatarsal foot surgery (fixes issues related to the ball of the foot).
- Plantar fascia release (part of the ligament is cut to relieve tension and heel pain).
- Fusion surgeries (fuses bones together to help alleviate arthritic symptoms).

When Is Foot Surgery Needed?
Doctors and their patients usually prefer to go with conservative, non-invasive methods of correcting foot problems. That may include wearing specialized orthotics each day, getting corticosteroid injections for pain, or doing physical therapy. But when these methods do not correct the problem in a reasonable amount of time, or the issue has become potentially disabling, your Carmel and Indianapolis, IN  podiatrist  may suggest surgery.

Aftercare for Foot and Ankle Surgery
Some foot and ankle surgeries are done rather quickly, and you can go home the same day. But caring for your feet after the surgery is crucial to the entire process. Expect to take at least a few weeks off from your usual activities (depends on doctor’s orders) for proper healing. Use icing and heat techniques as suggested by your podiatrist to keep down inflammation or swelling and relieve pain. You’ll likely need to attend regular sessions with your podiatrist to do physical therapy exercises for the best results.

Have Your Feet Evaluated
Let a podiatrist at Prestige Podiatry in Carmel or Indianapolis, IN take a closer look at your feet, including a physical exam and scans. You may be a good candidate for foot or ankle surgery. Call (317) 846-4111 or (317) 881-0070 today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Agricola.