Ankle & Foot Surgery

Hammertoe Surgery

A hammertoe is a deformity in the foot that causes a toe to become bent upward in the middle, causing it to resemble a hammer. Hammertoe surgery is necessary when non-surgical treatments have not been successful in relieving pain. The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.

Flexible Hammertoe Procedure

When the hammertoe is still flexible, a surgeon can often straighten the toe with a tendon transfer procedure.  In this procedure, the tendons are rerouted from the bottom of the toe to the top of the toe.  As a result, the joint will be pulled into a straight position.

Fixed Hammertoe

When the hammertoe is stiffened, joint resection or fusion may be used to correct the condition. With joint resection, an incision is made on top of the toe and ligaments and tendons are cut to help straighten the toe.  The bone end is removed, allowing the toe to be straightened with the use of temporary pins to hold the toe straight.

Fusion can also be used to treat the fixed hammertoe. With fusion, the bone, ligaments, and tendons are cut to help straighten the toe. Pins and screws are often used in this procedure to keep the bone straight while it heals.

Achilles Tendon Repair

The achilles tendon can tear if it is overstretched, often while playing sports. The tear may be partial or complete and most commonly occurs just above the heel bone. A snap or crack sound may be heard at the time of injury. Pain and swelling near the heel and an inability to bend the foot downward or walk normally are signs that the achilles tendon may be torn.

Surgery is typically needed for a complete rupture. After surgery, the ankle will be kept stable in a cast or walking boot for up to 12 weeks. A torn ligament may also be managed non-surgically with a below-knee cast, which allows the ends of the torn tendon to heal on its own. This nonsurgical approach may take longer to heal, and there is a higher chance that the tendon could re-rupture. Surgery offers a better chance of full recovery and is often the treatment of choice for active people who wish to resume sports.

Ankle Fracture Surgery

The ankle joint is formed by the tibia and the fibula. The tibia forms the front, rear, and inner part of the ankle joint and the lower fibula forms the outer part of the ankle joint.  The ends of these bones are known as malleoli, and fractures occur when the malleoli are broken.When nonsurgical methods have failed, surgery may be necessary to help the ankle joint heal with a normal shape and with normal movement.

With ankle fracture surgery, incisions are made through the skin of the ankle where the bones are broken. The breaks in the bone are carefully re-positioned and held together with synthetic implants. A protective splint is used following the procedure while the bones heal.  Most ankle fracture surgery is conducted using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).  This is a procedure where an incision is made over the ankle to see the fractured bones and the pieces of the broken bones are placed back together (open reduction). The broken bones are then held together (internal fixation) in their original position with plates and/or screws made from metal. This internal fixation provides stability, and movement can begin shortly after surgery as the ankle fracture heals.

Ankle Fusion (Arthrodesis)

Ankle fusion is a surgical procedure often used for treating arthritis. This procedure joins the main bones of the ankle joint (the tibia and the talus), though often the surgeon will also include the fibula in the procedure. The joint surfaces which generate the pain are removed and the joints are fused together with screws.

Once the bones are fused, the joints each side from the fused joint can take over some of the original function of the affected joint.

Ankle Replacement Surgery

Ankle replacement surgery is also known as total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). This surgical procedure is generally used to treat ankle arthritis. Total ankle replacement is normally recommended when the pain or deformity is so severe that it interferes with everyday activities.

It’s important to note that TAA is not suitable for patients with a significant deformity or dead bone in the talus (the bottom bone of the ankle joint). Other signs that this procedure should be avoided include:

• Previous or current infections of the ankle
• Significant lower extremity neuropathy
• Inadequate or absent leg muscle function
• Poor blood flow of the leg
• Inadequate soft tissues

How is Ankle Replacement Surgery Performed?

TAA is performed using a general anesthetic or a nerve block. First, the bone is cut to allow placement of the metal and plastic pieces that will form the new ankle joint. If the patient has tight calf muscles or a tight achilles tendon, at this stage in the surgery these may be lengthened to help improve motion in the ankle.

Following the procedure, a splint is used and the patient will be unable to bear weight on the ankle until the implants heal in place.

Charcot Foot Corrective Reconstructions

Charcot foot is a condition that affects people who have had significant nerve damage (also known as neuropathy) and causes severe weakness in the bones.  Because the bones are weak, they are prone to fractures and the foot can change shape. Over time, the joints can collapse.  If the condition is left untreated it may lead to severe disability and deformity, or possibly amputation.  Patients with diabetes need to be particularly careful to ensure they don’t develop Charcot foot.

Causes of Charcot Foot

• Neuropathy
• Because of reduced sensation, the patient may continue normal activities not knowing the further damage it is causing

Symptoms of Charcot Foot

• Warm feeling in the affected foot
• Redness in the foot
• Swelling
• Pain

In some cases, the Charcot deformity may become severe enough that surgery is necessary.  Surgery is recommended when:

• The patient is at risk of developing ulcers due to the deformity
• Protective footwear is not helping
• The foot has an unstable fracture or dislocation

Surgery Types

Achilles Tendon Lengthening – When there is tightness in the heel but the deformity is mild, lengthening the tendon decreases pressure and helps healing.

Stable Deformity Surgery – When there is a bony deformity on the bottom of the foot that doesn’t improve with non-surgical methods. This surgery removes the prominent section of bone.

Unstable Deformity Surgery – When the bones are loose, fusion and repositioning of the bones is necessary.

Fracture Surgery – complex fractures are more common in those with arthritis. A number of screws and plates are used to correct the fracture and keep normal joints stable.

Ankle Deformity Surgery  (fusion) –  surgical fusion of the ankle and the joint below the ankle is required in the case of deformity in order to keep the foot straight.  Unfortunately, if the bone has deteriorated too much or the soft tissue is of poor quality, amputation may be necessary.

Flat Foot Deformity Correction

A general anesthetic will numb the foot so that the doctor can make three incisions. The doctor will remove the damaged tendon in the foot and replace it with another tendon in a process called tibialis posterior tendon reconstruction.

At the same time, the doctor will likely perform a calcaneal osteotomy. This procedure repositions the heel bone and fixes it with a metal screw, helping the heel bone support the foot arch. Your surgeon may also place a metal plate at the top of the foot to further increase the arch.