Living with foot pain is a challenge. When your feet hurt, your whole body aches and simply moving around, driving, working, or spending time with the people you love becomes a painful process. For many people, foot surgery may be the only option to reduce the pain and to increase their quality of life.
Get Information
Deciding to have foot surgery, regardless of the procedure, should start by meeting with a highly regarded orthopaedic surgeon or a podiatrist. You may even wish to consult with both specialized doctors, giving you a comprehensive picture of the injury to the foot or feet and how surgery could help.
A top doctor will never be upset with a patient getting a second opinion. In fact, many of the best orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists will recommend patients get a second opinion to fully understand their options for treatment, especially if surgery is recommended as the priority.
Do Research
Once you have a diagnosis, the Internet makes it easy to do research on the condition and the foot surgery treatment options. Remember, the Internet is not always accurate, but you can find general information on recovery times, outcomes and possible complications to help you determine what you may need to ask your doctor.
Explore Non-Surgical Options
If you have not tried any non-surgical treatment options, be sure to talk to your doctor at your next appointment. For most people, foot surgery is not the only option and treatment using orthotics, splints, physical therapy, or even specialized footwear may be enough to correct the problem and stop the pain.
In some cases, especially when there is significant destruction of the structure of the foot, or when the joint may have been damaged by disease or injury, foot surgery may be the only option. In these situations discussing all aspects of the procedure and being clear about recovery times and prognosis after the procedure will be critical to making an informed decision.
The reality is that a top orthopaedic surgeon or podiatrist may recommend foot surgery, but only if it is the best or only option for successful treatment of the condition. Once you understand your options, you can make an informed decision as to the timing of the procedure and how to best prepare for your recovery with the support and assistance required.
The doctors at Suburban Orthopaedics will take time to explain the foot surgery procedure and to ensure you are completely informed about what to expect. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, go to www.suburbanortho.com.
