If you’ve ever injured your foot or ankle, you probably know how much it can impact your day-to-day life. Getting around, running errands, and even playing sports can be difficult if you’ve injured your foot or ankle. If left untreated, these kinds of injuries can lead to other problems such as arthritis in the future. Foot and ankle reconstructive surgery is a type of procedure that helps repair damaged bones, tendons, and ligaments after an injury. The procedures are strategic and safe ways to promote healthy cartilage and bones in the foot and ankle.

In this blog post, we will go over some common causes of foot or ankle injury as well as the different types of reconstructive surgery available for those who have suffered one of these injuries.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are one of the most common foot and ankle injuries. They occur when the foot twists or rolls inwards and the ligaments become overstretched and torn. This leads to an “inversion” ankle sprain, where the foot is turned inwards. The usual signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain include swelling, bruising, and pain, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. If you’ve ever sprained your ankle, you know how painful it can be. The good news is that ankle sprains are usually treatable with proper rest and rehabilitation. However, it is important to see a doctor if you’ve sprained your ankle to rule out any fractures. Ankle sprains can lead to degenerative changes in the joint and can have long-term effects even after the initial injury has healed.

Foot Fractures

A foot fracture is another common foot and ankle injury. It occurs when there is a break in the foot bones. The bones that are most commonly fractured are the metatarsal bones (bones in the midfoot), the tarsal bones in the heel, and the calcaneus (or heel bone). There are also other types of fractures that may occur in the foot including a Jones fracture, a Stress fracture, or a Charcot’s foot. A foot fracture can be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic. Depending on the severity of the fracture, there may be a break in the bones and/or joint damage. Most foot fractures are treated with a cast or a brace, but more severe fractures may require surgery.

Tendon Ruptures

Tendons are connective tissue that runs from muscles to bones. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon are a common foot and ankle injury. Ruptures can occur when the tendon is overstretched and cannot stretch any further. This can happen when someone suddenly increases the intensity of their training without adequate preparation. A ruptured tendon can cause significant pain and may make it difficult to walk or even put weight on the foot. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon are often treated surgically, but there are many factors that determine whether or not this is the best course of action, including the severity of the injury, the dexterity of the surgeon, and the patient’s activity level, and the available recovery time.

Tibial Stress Syndrome

Tibial stress syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is chronic overuse of the tibia (shinbone). One of the most common causes of tibial stress syndrome is running. Other activities that can lead to tibial stress syndrome include basketball, volleyball, running, cycling, and hiking. Tibial stress syndrome can be diagnosed based on symptoms, such as pain in the shinbone, pain while running, tenderness in the shinbone, and/or swelling in the leg. The best treatment for tibial stress syndrome is to rest, modify your activities, and do exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shinbone. If left untreated, tibial stress syndrome can lead to a stress fracture in the shinbone.

Ankle Reconstruction

Ankle Reconstruction is a procedure to repair a badly injured ankle that has sustained a fracture as well as ligament or cartilage damage. This type of procedure is commonly performed on athletes who have experienced an ankle sprain or fractures, such as basketball players or soccer players. This surgery can either be open or minimally invasive and is done to restore the stability and strength of the ankle joint. During the procedure, the surgeon will debride any damaged cartilage and ligaments. The surgeon will also put in a plate and screws in order to repair the broken bones. The surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure and patients can go home the same day.

Foot Reconstruction

Foot reconstruction is a surgery that is done when the foot has become too stiff or arthritic due to injury or arthritis. The surgery aims to recreate a more flexible and stable foot. During a foot reconstruction, the surgeon will remove the excess bone, cartilage, and joint lining and then put in new segments of bone and cartilage. The surgery can be performed through open incisions or minimally invasive, such as through an endoscopic approach. This surgery can be performed on people who have sustained a foot injury, have arthritis or have had a previous foot or ankle surgery. A foot reconstruction can significantly improve the quality of life for patients by making their feet more flexible and reducing their pain.

Conclusions

As you can see, there are many different types of foot and ankle injuries that can occur. To prevent these injuries, you should always wear proper footwear, such as running shoes, and follow a good stretching routine. If you’ve ever suffered an injury to your foot or ankle, make sure to work with a knowledgeable physician to discuss your treatment plan.