Foot and Ankle Surgery

What is foot and ankle surgery?

Foot and ankle surgery refers to any surgical procedure in the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other parts of your feet and ankles. The team of renowned medical professionals at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists includes surgeons with specialized education and training in all types of foot and ankle surgery. 

When might I need foot and ankle surgery?

After an injury, or when you have chronic pain, the first treatment plan usually involves physical therapy, bracing or other support devices, modifying your activities, and anti-inflammatory medication for pain management. 

If those initial treatments aren’t helpful, the team might recommend advanced methods like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or corticosteroid injections to decrease swelling and pain while aiding in healing. 

However, you could need foot or ankle surgery if you have an issue that doesn’t get better after trying nonsurgical treatments. Some conditions, like structural issues and severe foot ulcers, require surgery to correct the issue and prevent future complications. 

Some of the most common reasons to have foot and ankle surgery include:

• Tendon tears
• Ligament tears
• Fractures
• Foot deformities
• Plantar fasciitis
• Flatfoot
• Heel spurs
• Neuromas
• Diabetic foot ulcers

Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists offers a complete range of foot and ankle treatments, so they only recommend surgery when it’s the most effective way for you to heal. 

What happens during foot and ankle surgery?

Each foot and ankle surgery is different based on your injury or problem. The team uses minimally invasive surgery methods, such as arthroscopy, whenever possible. This approach uses tiny incisions, a miniature camera, and thin instruments to repair problems inside the ankle joint or other joints. 

With minimally invasive surgery, patients have far less bleeding, pain, and scarring compared with open surgery (traditional surgery with one long incision). The experienced surgeons are skilled in all types of foot and ankle surgery and can adapt your procedure to your needs. 

In many cases, you may only need local anesthesia for minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery. Most foot and ankle surgeries are done as an outpatient, meaning you can go home that day. 

After your procedure, you receive a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, including pain management and physical therapy. Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists is here to support you throughout your foot and ankle surgery, so call the office nearest to you or book your consultation online now.