Foot Surgeon and Ankle Surgery

A foot surgeon will commonly operate on the ankle. Here are some things to think about.

A foot surgeon is a highly specialized medical practitioner who focuses on orthopedics. The specialty of orthopedics involves the human musculature which includes the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. The human ankle is a hard working component of the body. Not only must it be flexible and move with ease, it must also be strong. Each ankle must be able to hold up the person's body weight times five due to the force of walking. Cartilage is the portion of the musculature that cushions this region. When it breaks down, pain arises and makes movement difficult.

Some of the reasons that this cushioning cartilage breaks down includes diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or some sort of break, stress or injury. There are various options for treating this all important section of the feet including fusion, debridement and joint replacement. Here are some things to think about.

Fusion of the Region

When a foot surgeon performs a fusion procedure, he or she fuses the bones in an effort to reduce pain in the region. This operation is best for patients who are fairly young and want to participate in various high impact athletics. In order to relive pain, the doctors implant devices such as metal rods, pins and screws to hold the musculature in place. Sometimes a portion of the internal joint is taken out and the remaining bones are pressed together so that they join together.

Debridement of the Area

Debridement is an operation that entails repairing the cartilage near the ankle joints. This is typically an arthroscopic procedure, meaning that the surgeon would use a medical tool called an arthroscope to view, diagnose and correct the problem. This arthroscope is similar to a camera that takes photos and places them on a computer screen in the operating room for the medical team to see. Loose, diseased or damaged portions would be taken out in an effort to alleviate painful conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Replacement of the Joint

Joint replacement can be done by an orthopedic surgeon in a variety of areas. The most common joints that become diseased and need to be replaced include the hips, knees, ankles, wrists and shoulders. When these areas become so problematic that they're interfering with a patient's life in terms of movement, sleeping and mood, it's time to take action. To perform a replacement, an MD would cut away the damaged portions and replace them with an artificial ball and joint made of ceramic or metal. These materials are designed to be easily accepted by the human body and to retain strength and durability for decades.

The human foot, ankle and leg are all crucial components of anatomy to allow ease of movement. When any of these segments are diseased or exhibiting painful symptoms, it's important to see a foot surgeon or orthopedist who specializes in these areas. Individuals may not realize how many movements require a stable and strong foot musculature until they experience an injury or disease in any of the areas. Walking, running, standing up, driving, dancing and any other movement that entails the legs, ankles and feet must be pain-free to take the person where he or she wants to go in life.

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