Did you know that wellness literally starts from the ground up? Your feet—each consisting of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons— are extraordinarily complex structures serving as the foundation of support for your entire body. That is why keeping them healthy is crucial if you want to maintain an active lifestyle all the way into your golden years.
However, given how much you rely on your feet for your mobility, there is no foolproof way to totally safeguard them from injuries and other problems that not only can make it difficult for you to engage in the activities you enjoy but may also require surgery to be corrected.
If you have an intractable foot or ankle problem and your doctor has recommended surgical intervention for it, here are five facts about foot and ankle surgeries that you want to know.
Fact #1 The success of foot and ankle surgeries greatly hinges on the surgeon’s skills.
It stands to reason that you need to find a foot surgeon who has the right combination of expertise, proven track record, clinical acumen, and genuine commitment to providing the best possible outcomes.
Fact #2 Foot and ankle procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis.
This means you can usually go home on the same day as the procedure. However, more complex procedures may involve additional postoperative monitoring. In such cases, patients may be required to stay overnight in the hospital to make sure their pain is well controlled.
Fact #3 Foot and ankle surgeries have high satisfaction rates.
These procedures generally have high satisfaction rates. Take ankle replacement and ankle fusion for instance: current studies show that ankle arthroplasty has about a 90 percent satisfaction rate, while with ankle fusion, up to 100 percent of patients reported substantial pain relief after their procedure.
Fact #4 Foot and ankle surgeries usually don’t take that long.
Most of these types of surgery take only about an hour to perform. Of course, more complex trauma or reconstructive surgery for severe deformities can take longer, up to three to four hours.
Fact #5 Foot and ankle surgeries generally have a low risk of complications.
To minimize patients’ risk of developing postoperative complications, foot and ankle surgeons carry out a thorough prior assessment and provide patients with detailed instructions to adequately prepare for their procedures.
Trusted Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Central Maryland
At Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, our board-certified and fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons have earned the trust and confidence of countless patients by delivering exceptional treatment outcomes. Not only do we take all the necessary measures to minimize your risk of complications following your surgery; we also strive to keep you comfortable and safe throughout your recovery.
If you have any questions regarding foot and ankle surgery or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, call us today at (410) 644-1880 or toll-free at (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663). You may also simply fill out our convenient, request-an-appointment form now. Either way, we look forward to helping you get back on your feet!
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