At OC Advanced Foot Care, our philosophy is first, correcting the underlying structural problems, usually done through functional foot orthotics. If a patient does not respond adequately to conservative treatment, then surgical intervention may be needed. Feet take an enormous amount of wear and tear throughout an individual’s life. Those with biomechanical issues such as over pronation, supination, or those with other foot problems, increase this wear-and-tear on the feet.
Minimally invasive procedures such as ingrown toenails, wart removals, injections, or excision of small skin lesions can be done in the office under local anesthesia. More extensive procedures such as bunions, hammertoes, fractures, removal of neuromas, are performed in a surgery center or operating room.
OC Advanced Foot Care have completed residency specializing in surgery trained by other seasoned podiatrists and general, orthopedic and plastic surgeons. OC Advanced Foot Care doctors have performed over a thousand surgeries on the foot and ankle. They utilize many advanced and current surgical techniques so that patients generally are able to walk in and out of the surgical facility unassisted.
Bunions
Bunions are a bony prominence or bump on the inside of the foot behind the big toe. They are usually produced over a period of time and by a combination of factors such as activity level, poor fitting shoes, foot structure, work related stresses and genetics. When a bunion becomes well formed, a fluid sac will often form between the bone and the skin overlying the bump. Functional orthotics will help alleviate potential underlying problems that may have caused, or attributed to, the formation of the bunion. This is necessary so that following surgery the likelihood of recurrence is minimized. There are many surgical variations depending on the nature of the bunion and what is seen on x ray.
Hammertoes
Hammertoes are caused when the muscles of the toes are no longer balanced due to muscle contraction – often as a result of a biomechanical fault. As soft tissue contracts, the underlying bone structure is changed causing friction or rubbing between the top of the toe and the shoe often causing corns. In time, toes lose their flexibility, joints fuse, and the toes become rigid, inflexible and painful. In serious cases, they may even create sores or more serious foot problems.
Most causes of hammertoes can be treated with functional orthotics, but in cases where orthotic therapy is not effective, surgery may be necessary. Some hammertoes can be treated in office where the soft tissue that is causing the contraction is released and the involved joint is straightened. If bone involvement is noted, then the bones of the toe may need to be surgically remodeled to allow the toe to lay straight and maintained with a pin or implant.
Neromas
Neuromas are a common and very painful problem presenting as burning, tingling, numbness or shooting pain that radiates from the ball of the foot and extends most often to the bottom of the 3rd and 4th toes. Gait or structural problems often cause pressure in the ball of the foot. If irritated Once injured, a process called fibrosis or scarring occurs and the protective covering becomes enlarged.
Orthotic therapy is often effective in reducing stress on the area by relieving pressure of the nerve, thus minimizing discomfort. If scarring of the nerve area have progressed such that scar tissue surrounding the nerve is too enlarged, surgical intervention can offer permanent pain relief.
Pre And Post Operative Examinations
During the pre-operative exam, a patients condition will be discussed, various treatment options explored, and possible complications and expectations of surgery explained. Patients are asked to inform their Family Physician and ensure that there are no medical conditions that would affect the surgery. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurance company to verify coverage and related details in regards to their . Receipts for surgical fees should be saved as they are generally tax deductible.
Risks And Complications Of Surgery
As with all surgical procedures, there is always a risk of complications. Although rare, possible risks and complications from most foot surgeries are rare. At Orange Coast Advanced Foot Care, we will explain possible complications and alternative treatment options during the pre-op exam. Patients will be required to sign a consent form prior to the surgery indicating that the complications and risks associated with the surgery have been fully explained and understood. Also ample time to ask questions is always given.
Recovery time following any surgery is dependent on various factors including an individuals over-all state of health, constitutional make up, activity level and many other related factors.
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