Foot and ankle problems can range from minor aches and pains to debilitating conditions. Considering the fact that the former can sometimes progress into the latter when left unchecked, deciding on the best treatment approach can feel overwhelming.
Wayne Foot and Ankle wants you to know all your options; after all, patient education allows our community to make informed healthcare decisions, improve outcomes, and make life easier overall. That’s why this blog will compare and contrast the best treatments for a few standard foot and ankle conditions, highlighting when conservative interventions shine and when surgery should take center stage.
Conservative Tools for Common Concerns
Sometimes, a light touch and non-invasive techniques are your best bet for recovering right.
- Plantar Fasciitis: This heel pain often responds well to rest, stretching, orthotics, and physical therapy. Injections and night splints can also provide relief.
- Hammertoes: Early intervention with toe padding, wider shoes, and orthotics can prevent worsening deformity. Surgery might be necessary for advanced cases or pains that significantly impact daily life.
- Bunions: Early detection is vital! Taping, orthotics, and wider shoes can manage mild bunions.
Surgical Stars
Surgery makes sense when other options aren’t easing your pain or structural problems are severe.
- Fractures: Depending on the severity and location, fractures might require surgery for proper healing and alignment. This ensures bone fragments are mended correctly, restoring functionality and preventing complications.
- Severe Arthritis: When conservative measures like pain medication, injections, or physical therapy fail to provide adequate relief, joint replacement surgery can restore mobility and function.
- Flatfoot Deformity: When conservative treatments fall short and pain persists, surgery can restructure the bones and ligaments, improving arch support and offering relief.
- Neuromas: Compressed nerves, especially in the forefoot (Morton’s neuroma), can cause severe pain and numbness. Surgery to remove or decompress the nerve can offer significant soothing when conservative interventions aren’t enough.
It’s always good to have options! A skilled DPM will always explore all your options before making the call, so don’t hesitate to consult one and figure out what’s best for your condition.
Aching and not sure how to deal with the pain? Dr. Lindsey Calligaro at Wayne Foot & Ankle Center is happy to help. We’ve got the top tools, modern techniques, and proven expertise to treat your feet. Contact us today!