When is Surgery Necessary?

When is Surgery Necessary?

You don't have to be David Beckham or Lionel Messi to experience foot and ankle pain from time to time. Even couch potatoes can foot and ankle surgeryexperience discomfort and problems with the lower extremities, albeit usually for different reasons. Anything from the wrong pair of shoes and sneakers to a muscle, tendon, or ligament tear or strain can cause pain and temporarily slow us down.

But some foot and ankle injuries persist even with rest and conservative treatments, or progressively get worse, in which case more extensive treatment may be necessary for proper healing of the injury, and to prevent further damage and pain.

Foot and Ankle Surgery in Indianapolis

As with many injuries, surgery is typically not the first course of treatment in most cases. Dr. Jeffrey Agricola, a podiatrist and surgeon at Prestige Podiatry in Indianapolis, typically recommends surgery in cases of severe deformities or injuries such as a broken bone in the foot or ankle.

Some of the most common podiatry and foot related problems that can be treated with surgery include:

  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Birth defects
  • Diabetes-related complications
  • Rheumatoid arthritis-related joint pain and damage
  • Neuromuscular problems
  • Bunions and hammertoes

The main goal of surgery is to repair damage to bone and joint deformities and fractures, restore alignment and stability, and alleviate pain. The type of surgery needed will depend on the injury and extent of the damage. Some surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis with a minimally invasive procedure. The recovery and rehabilitation process will also depend on the complexity of the surgery and injury, and on factors such as the patient's overall health and adherence to the surgeon's post-operative rehabilitation instructions.

Contact a Foot and Ankle Surgeon in Indianapolis

If you are suffering from pain or other symptoms, contact foot surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Agricola at Prestige Podiatry by calling (317) 846-4111 to schedule an appointment and learn more about treatment options and whether surgery is right for you.