WhatsAppThe Right Treatment, Step by Step
The Foot and Ankle Surgery department provides surgical and non-surgical treatment for bone, joint, tendon, ligament and soft tissue problems that directly affect walking, daily movement and quality of life. A wide range of conditions, from sports injuries to deformities and from diabetic foot complications to advanced osteoarthritis, is approached through the coordinated work of orthopaedic, physical therapy and radiology specialists. Open, laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgical options are offered under one roof at Academic Hospital.
Contents
What Is Foot and Ankle Surgery?
Foot and Ankle Surgery is the orthopaedic subspecialty in which congenital or acquired conditions of the foot and ankle are treated surgically. In this department, the 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments that make up the complex anatomy of the foot are assessed as a whole. The treatment plan is personalised according to the patient's age, activity level, duration of pain, degree of deformity and any other conditions; surgery is considered only when non-surgical options are insufficient or when the anatomical problem is progressing.
Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated Surgically?
The following diseases and conditions fall within the scope of surgical assessment in the Foot and Ankle Surgery department.
| Disease or condition | Description |
|---|---|
| A bony prominence at the head of the metatarsal caused by outward deviation of the big toe; surgery becomes indicated when there is pain, when shoes no longer fit comfortably and when the deformity is progressive. | |
| A condition in which the toe joints become locked in flexion; in cases resistant to conservative treatment, tendon or joint correction surgery is performed. | |
| Progressive flatfoot caused by tibialis posterior tendon insufficiency; at an advanced stage, tendon repair or fusion may be planned before arthritis develops. | |
| In acute complete ruptures, surgical repair reduces the risk of re-rupture and is the preferred method in the athletic population. | |
| In displaced malleolar fractures and in bimalleolar or trimalleolar fractures, open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws is the standard treatment. | |
| A minimally invasive procedure performed inside the joint for osteochondral lesions, loose bodies, synovitis and chronic pain. | |
| Neuropathic joint destruction; non-weight-bearing and fixation may be needed in the early stage, and reconstructive surgery in the advanced stage. | |
| Thickening of a nerve between the metatarsal heads; surgical excision is performed in cases that do not respond to injection treatment. | |
| In soft tissue and bone tumours, wide excision is performed where necessary, together with a diagnostic biopsy. | |
| Anatomical surgical reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex that has been weakened by recurrent sprains. | |
| In cases resistant to conservative treatment, arthrodesis (joint fusion) or, in selected patients, total ankle replacement. |
When Should You Consult Us?
If you have any of the following findings, you are advised to consult the Foot and Ankle Surgery department.
- Pain in the foot or ankle that lasts longer than two weeks and does not settle with rest
- Being unable to bear weight when walking or standing, or limping
- Marked swelling, bruising or warmth around the ankle
- Recurrent episodes of spraining and a feeling that the ankle is unstable
- A deformity of the foot that is becoming increasingly visible (a prominence, deviation or toe deformity)
- In people with diabetes, a wound that will not heal, an infection or a change of colour in the foot
- Burning, numbness or electric-shock-like pain in the sole of the foot
- Severe pain in the heel area together with a sudden "popping" sound during sport (suspected Achilles rupture)
Preoperative Assessment
Preoperative assessment forms the basis of both an accurate diagnosis and surgical safety.
| Assessment | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Ankle range of motion, ligament stability, neurovascular status and walking pattern are assessed. | |
| The basic imaging used to measure bone alignment, joint space and the angle of deformity. | |
| Detailed assessment of tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone marrow pathologies. | |
| Dynamic examination of tendon integrity; guidance during injection treatment. | |
| Three-dimensional bone analysis in complex fractures and in deformity planning. | |
| Electrophysiological assessment of nerve function when neuropathy or a nerve entrapment (tunnel) syndrome is suspected. | |
| Blood sugar, clotting tests and optimisation of any other conditions before the operation. |
Operations and Surgical Procedures Performed
Both open and minimally invasive techniques are used in the Academic Hospital Foot and Ankle Surgery department.
| Operation or procedure | How it is performed |
|---|---|
| The first metatarsal bone is cut and realigned to correct the axis of the big toe; the choice between the chevron, scarf and Lapidus techniques depends on the degree of deformity. | |
| The joint is entered through small incisions to repair osteochondral lesions, remove loose bodies, perform synovectomy and clear scar tissue. The hospital stay is usually one day. | |
| In an acute rupture, the ends of the tendon are joined using a mini-open or percutaneous technique; this allows early functional rehabilitation. | |
| In displaced fractures, the bone fragments are returned to their anatomical position and fixed with a plate and screws. | |
| Anatomical repair of the damaged ligament in chronic instability, reinforced with the surrounding tissue. | |
| A combination of tibialis posterior tendon repair, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy and, where necessary, joint fusion. | |
| In advanced arthritis, the painful joint is fused in a fixed position; this is performed on the ankle, subtalar or midfoot joints. | |
| A motion-preserving alternative for selected patients; it is planned after activity level and bone quality have been assessed. | |
| Surgical removal of a Morton's neuroma from between the metatarsal heads. | |
| Realignment, fixation and, where necessary, arthrodesis in neuropathic joint destruction. |
The Postoperative Process
Recovery time varies according to the type of operation performed, the patient's general health and bone quality.
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Wound care, dressing changes and control of swelling. Weight-bearing is restricted in most patients; crutches or a special boot are used. | |
| Controlled weight-bearing begins. Range of motion and muscle strength work starts with physiotherapy. | |
| Normal walking activity increases gradually. Bone healing is confirmed on radiographs. | |
| After hallux valgus surgery and fracture fixation, a move to full weight-bearing and a return to suitable footwear. | |
| This may take 6-8 weeks after arthroscopic procedures and 4-6 months after tendon repair or arthrodesis. | |
| Blood sugar management and wound monitoring are the priority; recovery may take longer than in other patients. |
Book an appointment with the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department.
Book an AppointmentFoot and Ankle Surgery at Academic Hospital
The Academic Hospital Foot and Ankle Surgery Department manages the whole process under one roof, from preoperative assessment to postoperative rehabilitation. Throughout the process, the department works together with the following departments:
- Orthopaedics and Traumatology: orthopaedic assessment of foot and ankle fractures and other musculoskeletal problems
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: postoperative work on range of motion, muscle strength and walking
- Radiology: diagnosis and surgical planning with plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography and computed tomography
- Diabetes Treatment: preoperative blood sugar optimisation and follow-up for diabetic foot problems
- Infectious Diseases: joint treatment planning for diabetic foot infections
- Anaesthesia and Reanimation: preoperative anaesthetic assessment and pain management
- Sports Medicine: assessment of sports injuries and planning of the return to sport
Frequently Asked Questions
References
The general information given on this page about foot and ankle conditions, the operations performed and the postoperative process is supported by the reliable health sources listed below.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), "Foot and Ankle Conditions", orthoinfo.org
- American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), "FootCareMD: Foot and Ankle Conditions", footcaremd.org
- NHS, "Bunions (Hallux Valgus): Treatment and Surgery", nhs.uk
- StatPearls (NIH/NCBI), "Charcot Neuropathic Osteoarthropathy", ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The information on this page is for informational purposes only; it does not replace medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a healthcare institution regarding your complaints.
