Reconstructive Foot Surgery
Surgical Treatment of Foot Deformities
Our nationally known foot and ankle surgeons provide an experienced and caring approach to the most complicated foot deformities using the latest techniques. Conditions we treat include:
- Arthritic joints
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Bone spurs/heel spurs
- Chronic wounds
- Fractures and dislocations
- Neuromas
- Painful flat feet
- Ruptured tendons and ligaments
- Soft tissue tumors and cysts
Frequently Asked Questions
Bunion and Hallux Limitus Surgery (first metatarsal osteotomy with screw fixation)
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about a first metatarsal osteotomy with screw fixation (AKA bone cut with screws) surgery:
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about a first metatarsal osteotomy with screw fixation (AKA bone cut with screws) surgery:
When will I be able to put weight on the foot?
This osteotomy is inherently stable. Additionally, the screws provide excellent fixation of the bone cut. Therefore, weight-bearing can often be tolerated shortly after surgery. In the majority of cases, you will put no weight on your foot for the first week. After the first week, you may be allowed to begin partial weight on your foot with a surgical shoe and crutches. In most cases, you will be fully weight-bearing in a sneaker by the fourth week after surgery.
This osteotomy is inherently stable. Additionally, the screws provide excellent fixation of the bone cut. Therefore, weight-bearing can often be tolerated shortly after surgery. In the majority of cases, you will put no weight on your foot for the first week. After the first week, you may be allowed to begin partial weight on your foot with a surgical shoe and crutches. In most cases, you will be fully weight-bearing in a sneaker by the fourth week after surgery.
What happens if I do put weight on my foot?
While in most cases, your foot will be able to tolerate occasional and light weight, repeated weight-bearing can result in loosening of the screws. This can result in dislocating the bone cut which may lead to delay in bone healing and loss of correction.
While in most cases, your foot will be able to tolerate occasional and light weight, repeated weight-bearing can result in loosening of the screws. This can result in dislocating the bone cut which may lead to delay in bone healing and loss of correction.
Do I have to keep my foot elevated all the time?
Keeping your foot elevated will help to keep the swelling down and will help with reducing pain. The more you keep your foot elevated, the less pain and swelling you will experience. This is critical in the first week. After that, you should continue to keep your foot elevated whenever you are not moving around on your crutches.
Keeping your foot elevated will help to keep the swelling down and will help with reducing pain. The more you keep your foot elevated, the less pain and swelling you will experience. This is critical in the first week. After that, you should continue to keep your foot elevated whenever you are not moving around on your crutches.
Why do I need ice?
Ice helps to reduce swelling. It also will help numb the area, thus reducing post-operative pain. It should be applied for 10-15 minutes out of every hour while you are awake.
Ice helps to reduce swelling. It also will help numb the area, thus reducing post-operative pain. It should be applied for 10-15 minutes out of every hour while you are awake.
How much pain will I have?
Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Most will have moderate pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, the pain diminishes dramatically. In most cases, you will be off narcotic medication by the end of the first week. You will receive two medications. One is an anti-inflammatory medication (Toradol) which you should take as prescribed and until completed. This helps with pain and swelling. The second medication is a narcotic pain medication (usually Percocet). You should take this medication as the local anesthesia is wearing off. You will know this because you will begin to feel a pins-and-needles type sensation in your foot. You should also take medication before you go to sleep, whether you are having pain or not. This will allow for a more comfortable sleep. After that, take the medication as prescribed and as needed. If the pain medication does not appear to be effective, this is most commonly the result of a tight dressing. Please call our nurse during regular office hours. If after hours, please call the on-call surgeon.
Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Most will have moderate pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, the pain diminishes dramatically. In most cases, you will be off narcotic medication by the end of the first week. You will receive two medications. One is an anti-inflammatory medication (Toradol) which you should take as prescribed and until completed. This helps with pain and swelling. The second medication is a narcotic pain medication (usually Percocet). You should take this medication as the local anesthesia is wearing off. You will know this because you will begin to feel a pins-and-needles type sensation in your foot. You should also take medication before you go to sleep, whether you are having pain or not. This will allow for a more comfortable sleep. After that, take the medication as prescribed and as needed. If the pain medication does not appear to be effective, this is most commonly the result of a tight dressing. Please call our nurse during regular office hours. If after hours, please call the on-call surgeon.
When will I be able to get my foot wet?
You will leave the operating room with a sterile dressing in place. This dressing should not be removed and kept dry until your first visit with your surgeon. Taking the dressing off or getting it wet can increase the risk of infection. In general, the incision will be healed after two weeks. If you have no exposed pins, you may be able to get your foot wet after two weeks.
You will leave the operating room with a sterile dressing in place. This dressing should not be removed and kept dry until your first visit with your surgeon. Taking the dressing off or getting it wet can increase the risk of infection. In general, the incision will be healed after two weeks. If you have no exposed pins, you may be able to get your foot wet after two weeks.
How long will my surgery take? How long will I be in recovery?
The actual surgery will take approximately one hour. The anesthesia will determine how long you will remain in the recovery room. You will most likely have a local anesthesia with sedation. In general, you will be ready to leave 45-60 minutes following surgery. If you have general anesthesia, you may be in recovery longer.
The actual surgery will take approximately one hour. The anesthesia will determine how long you will remain in the recovery room. You will most likely have a local anesthesia with sedation. In general, you will be ready to leave 45-60 minutes following surgery. If you have general anesthesia, you may be in recovery longer.
What do I do about any medications I am taking?
You should discuss this with your doctor as well as your anesthesiologist. Unless you are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin, Coumadin or Motrin, you should be able to continue most of your medications. If you are taking blood thinners, discuss with your doctor whether you should stop these or not. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking any herbal medications, since many of these have blood thinning effects.
You should discuss this with your doctor as well as your anesthesiologist. Unless you are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin, Coumadin or Motrin, you should be able to continue most of your medications. If you are taking blood thinners, discuss with your doctor whether you should stop these or not. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking any herbal medications, since many of these have blood thinning effects.
When will I be able to return to work?
This will depend on the type of work you do and how you get to work. If you spend most of your time on your feet, you may need to take as much as four weeks off from work. If you have a more sedentary job, you may be able to return to work sooner. Please let your surgeon know your job requirements. If you have any disability forms, out-of-work forms, family leave forms or handicap placard forms that need to be filled out, please provide these to your surgeon before surgery. This will ensure timely and accurate completion of these forms.
This will depend on the type of work you do and how you get to work. If you spend most of your time on your feet, you may need to take as much as four weeks off from work. If you have a more sedentary job, you may be able to return to work sooner. Please let your surgeon know your job requirements. If you have any disability forms, out-of-work forms, family leave forms or handicap placard forms that need to be filled out, please provide these to your surgeon before surgery. This will ensure timely and accurate completion of these forms.
When will I be able to drive?
This will depend on several factors: which foot has been operated on, how far you must drive and what type of car you have. If you have your right foot operated on, please remember it is not safe to operate a motor vehicle with a surgical shoe. Therefore, you may have to wait until you are back in sneakers, about four weeks after surgery, before you can drive. If you have your left foot operated on, you may be able to drive sooner, unless you have a clutch.
This will depend on several factors: which foot has been operated on, how far you must drive and what type of car you have. If you have your right foot operated on, please remember it is not safe to operate a motor vehicle with a surgical shoe. Therefore, you may have to wait until you are back in sneakers, about four weeks after surgery, before you can drive. If you have your left foot operated on, you may be able to drive sooner, unless you have a clutch.
For more information
If you have any additional questions, please discuss those with your surgeon before surgery.
If you have any additional questions, please discuss those with your surgeon before surgery.
Lapidus Surgery (lapidus bunionectomy with screw fixation)
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about a lapidus bunionectomy with screw fixation surgery:
When will I be able to put weight on the foot?
While the screws provide excellent fixation and stability, the bone cut is performed in an inherently unstable location of your foot. Therefore, weight-bearing may not be allowed for as much as eight weeks following surgery. After that, the surgeon may allow you to begin partial weight-bearing over the next two weeks. In most cases, you will be fully weight-bearing in a brace by the tenth week and in a sneaker by the twelfth week after surgery.
While the screws provide excellent fixation and stability, the bone cut is performed in an inherently unstable location of your foot. Therefore, weight-bearing may not be allowed for as much as eight weeks following surgery. After that, the surgeon may allow you to begin partial weight-bearing over the next two weeks. In most cases, you will be fully weight-bearing in a brace by the tenth week and in a sneaker by the twelfth week after surgery.
What happens if I do put weight on my foot?
While in most cases, your foot will be able to tolerate occasional and light weight, repeated weight-bearing will result in loosening of the screws. This can result in dislocating the bone cut which may lead to delay in bone healing and loss of correction.
While in most cases, your foot will be able to tolerate occasional and light weight, repeated weight-bearing will result in loosening of the screws. This can result in dislocating the bone cut which may lead to delay in bone healing and loss of correction.
Do I have to keep my foot elevated all the time?
Keeping your foot elevated will help to keep swelling down and will help with reducing pain. The more you keep your foot elevated, the less pain and swelling you will experience. This is critical in the first week. After that, you should continue to keep your foot elevated whenever you are not moving around on your crutches. Remember, the less swelling after surgery, the earlier you will be able to return to conventional shoes.
Keeping your foot elevated will help to keep swelling down and will help with reducing pain. The more you keep your foot elevated, the less pain and swelling you will experience. This is critical in the first week. After that, you should continue to keep your foot elevated whenever you are not moving around on your crutches. Remember, the less swelling after surgery, the earlier you will be able to return to conventional shoes.
Why do I need ice?
Ice helps reduce swelling. It also will help numb the area, thus reducing postoperative pain. It should be applied for 10-15 minutes out of every hour while you are awake.
How much pain will I have?
Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Most will have moderate pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, the pain diminishes dramatically. In most cases, you will be off narcotic medication by the end of the first week. You will receive two medications. One is an anti-inflammatory medication (Toradol) which you should take as prescribed and until completed. This helps with pain and swelling. The second medication is a narcotic pain medication (usually Percocet). You should take this medication as the local anesthesia is wearing off. You will know this because you will begin to feel a pins-and-needles type sensation in your foot. You should also take medication before you go to sleep, whether you are having pain or not. This will allow for a more comfortable sleep. After that, take the medication as prescribed and as needed. If the pain medication does not appear to be effective, this is most commonly the result of a tight dressing. Please call our nurse during regular office hours. If after hours, please call the on-call surgeon.
Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Most will have moderate pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, the pain diminishes dramatically. In most cases, you will be off narcotic medication by the end of the first week. You will receive two medications. One is an anti-inflammatory medication (Toradol) which you should take as prescribed and until completed. This helps with pain and swelling. The second medication is a narcotic pain medication (usually Percocet). You should take this medication as the local anesthesia is wearing off. You will know this because you will begin to feel a pins-and-needles type sensation in your foot. You should also take medication before you go to sleep, whether you are having pain or not. This will allow for a more comfortable sleep. After that, take the medication as prescribed and as needed. If the pain medication does not appear to be effective, this is most commonly the result of a tight dressing. Please call our nurse during regular office hours. If after hours, please call the on-call surgeon.
When will I be able to get my foot wet?
You will leave the operating room with a sterile dressing in place. You may also have a brace or a cast applied. This dressing should remain in place and kept dry until your first visit with the surgeon. Taking the dressing off or getting it wet can increase the risk of infection. In general, the incision will be healed after two weeks. If you have no exposed pins, you may be able to get your foot wet after two weeks. The final determination will depend on the healing of your incision.
You will leave the operating room with a sterile dressing in place. You may also have a brace or a cast applied. This dressing should remain in place and kept dry until your first visit with the surgeon. Taking the dressing off or getting it wet can increase the risk of infection. In general, the incision will be healed after two weeks. If you have no exposed pins, you may be able to get your foot wet after two weeks. The final determination will depend on the healing of your incision.
How long will my surgery take? How long will I be in recovery?
The actual surgery will take approximately two hours. You will most likely have general anesthesia. Anesthesia will determine how long you remain in the recovery room. Before you leave the hospital, you will need to show that you can tolerate food and liquids and are able to urinate. You will also need to be trained on the use of crutches. In general, you will be ready to leave one-two hours following surgery.
The actual surgery will take approximately two hours. You will most likely have general anesthesia. Anesthesia will determine how long you remain in the recovery room. Before you leave the hospital, you will need to show that you can tolerate food and liquids and are able to urinate. You will also need to be trained on the use of crutches. In general, you will be ready to leave one-two hours following surgery.
What do I do about any medications I am taking?
You should discuss this with your doctor as well as your anesthesiologist. Unless you are taking blood thinners, for example aspirin, Coumadin or Motrin, you should be able to continue most of your medications. If you are taking blood thinners, discuss with your doctor whether you should stop these or not. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking any herbal medications since many of these have blood thinning effects.
You should discuss this with your doctor as well as your anesthesiologist. Unless you are taking blood thinners, for example aspirin, Coumadin or Motrin, you should be able to continue most of your medications. If you are taking blood thinners, discuss with your doctor whether you should stop these or not. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking any herbal medications since many of these have blood thinning effects.
When will I be able to return to work?
This will depend on the type of work you do and how you get to work. If you spend most of your time on your feet, you may need to take as much as 12 weeks off from work. If you have a more sedentary job, you may be able to return to work sooner. Please let your surgeon know your job requirements. If you have any disability forms, out-of-work forms, family leave forms or handicap placard forms that need to be filled out, please provide these to your surgeon before surgery. This will ensure timely and accurate completion of these forms.
This will depend on the type of work you do and how you get to work. If you spend most of your time on your feet, you may need to take as much as 12 weeks off from work. If you have a more sedentary job, you may be able to return to work sooner. Please let your surgeon know your job requirements. If you have any disability forms, out-of-work forms, family leave forms or handicap placard forms that need to be filled out, please provide these to your surgeon before surgery. This will ensure timely and accurate completion of these forms.
When will I be able to drive?
This will depend on several factors: which foot has been operated on, how far you must drive and what type of car you have. If you have your right foot operated on, please remember it is not safe to operate a motor vehicle with a cast, brace or surgical shoe. Therefore, you may have to wait until you are back in sneakers, about 12 weeks after surgery, before you can drive. If you have your left foot operated on, you may be able to drive sooner, unless you have a clutch.
This will depend on several factors: which foot has been operated on, how far you must drive and what type of car you have. If you have your right foot operated on, please remember it is not safe to operate a motor vehicle with a cast, brace or surgical shoe. Therefore, you may have to wait until you are back in sneakers, about 12 weeks after surgery, before you can drive. If you have your left foot operated on, you may be able to drive sooner, unless you have a clutch.
For more information
If you have any additional questions, please discuss those with your surgeon before surgery.
If you have any additional questions, please discuss those with your surgeon before surgery.