Podiatrists normally treat health problems that occur in the feet or ankles. This may include treating ingrown toenails, removing calluses, teaching patients proper diabetic foot care, and prescribing medications for various conditions of the feet. However, some podiatrists are also podiatric surgeons who provide more advanced care to their patients. These are some of the types of treatments that podiatric surgeons provide.

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Podiatric surgeons commonly perform surgical procedures to repair foot or ankle injuries. This includes broken or fractured toes, fractured or broken ankles, and severely sprained ankles as well. These procedures often involve taking X-rays to view the severity of the injury, resetting broken or splintered bones and ankle ligament repair or reconstruction that is sometimes necessary for severe ankle sprains.

Metatarsal Foot Surgery

The metatarsal bones are located behind each toe on the foot. For patients who suffer from foot arthritis, it is not uncommon for the metatarsal bones to become stiff, which then makes walking or standing very painful and difficult. The podiatric surgeon may need to remove the joint heads from the joints of the metatarsal bones to relieve pain for the patient and make walking or standing more comfortable. Some patients may also have growths, known as bunions, on the first metatarsal joint next to the big toe that needs to be removed for pain relief.

Hammertoe Surgery

A condition known as "hammertoes" occurs due to wearing shoes that are pointed or shoes that are too tight over extended periods of time. This deformity is characterized by smaller toes that remain bent downward, giving them the appearance of a claw or hammer. Sometimes this condition can be reversed by doing vigorous exercises to stretch the toe muscles back out as they should be. However, for severe cases, a podiatric surgeon may need to cut ligaments, tendons, and even small pieces of bones in the toes to allow them to straighten out so that pain and stiffness are relieved.  

Achilles Tendon Surgery

Another type of surgical procedure that podiatric surgeons commonly perform is Achilles tendon surgery. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscle in the lower leg to the heel. For those who have very active lifestyles that involve frequent running, jumping, climbing, or walking, it is possible for the Achilles tendon to become torn or ruptured during physical activity. 

The main goal of podiatric surgeons is to relieve pain and regain as much normal movement as possible in the lower legs, ankles, and feet. If a condition or injury cannot be repaired through non-surgical treatments such as rest, medications, or physical therapy, it may be necessary to have a surgical procedure.

For more information, reach out to a podiatric surgeon.