The world of foot reconstruction surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures due to the many parts of the foot and the various problems these parts can develop. If arthritis or an old injury causes nagging foot pain, that foot may benefit from joint fusion surgery (arthrodesis). Check out these four points about this foot reconstruction procedure.
1. Reasons for Foot Fusion Surgery
Foot fusion surgery immobilizes joints in the foot that experience chronic, debilitating pain and stiffness. In many cases, this discomfort stems from deterioration of the cartilage that normally protects the bones in the joint against friction and shock. When the joint can no longer move, it can no longer cause you pain.
Osteoarthritis commonly causes this kind of pain. Many years of normal wear and tear cause the protective cartilage in the joint to grow thinner and break up. However, an injury to the joint can lead to osteoarthritis at any age. You might also need foot fusion surgery to immobilize a deformed joint that causes you pain.
2. Good Candidates for Foot Fusion Surgery
Most individuals who enjoy generally good health can safely undergo foot fusion surgery. However, if you smoke, you'll need to cut this habit out of your life before considering any foot reconstruction procedure. Smoking interferes with bone growth, making recovery from foot fusion more difficult.
Certain pre-existing conditions might make you a less than ideal candidate for foot fusion surgery. Examples include osteoporosis, an autoimmune disease, narrowed arteries, an active infection, and neurological disorders. Your podiatrist can evaluate your risk factors beforehand to determine whether you should have the surgery.
3. The Foot Fusion Surgery Procedure
Different foot fusion procedures focus on different regions of the foot. For instance, a triple arthrodesis or subtalar fusion immobilizes the heel and hindfoot, while a midfoot fusion immobilizes bones further forward in the foot. Podiatrists perform these surgeries under general anesthesia.
The surgeon begins a typical foot fusion by opening the skin over the joint and removing fragments of damaged cartilage within the joint. The surgeon then fills in the empty space with donor bone, synthetic bone, or bone taken from your own body. Metal hardware then fuses the bones together permanently.
4. Recovery From Foot Fusion Surgery
Recovery from foot fusion surgery requires patience. For the first several weeks, you'll wear a cast over the foot and walk on crutches to avoid placing any weight on the foot. you may then graduate to a walking boot that permits partial weight bearing.
You don't have to live with constant, disabling foot pain from joint deterioration or damage. Ask your podiatrist whether foot fusion or some other form of foot reconstruction surgery makes sense for your condition.
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