Orthopedic Surgeries

The development of abnormalities and the associated pain can be influenced by many factors in the long term, such as the collapse of the transverse arch of the foot (flatfoot), wearing inappropriate footwear, the weight we carry, the excess weight with which we live. In many cases, an insole, physiotherapy, or physical therapy can help, and it is worth consulting an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible, even at the initial change, at the first appearance of pain, so that the problem can still be solved with conservative tools. However, with the intensification of complaints and the development of a high degree of deformity, only surgery can provide the final solution.

Foot and ankle surgery offers surgical solutions for painful changes in the ankle, midfoot, and forefoot. The most common abnormalities that can be treated with surgery include bunions, hammer toe, heel bone growths (spurs), pain in the metatarsals and phalanges, complex forefoot deformities.

Hammertoe Surgery

The term hammertoe (digitus malleus) mainly refers to the distortion of the second and third toes, where the lower phalanx protrudes, and the second and third ones sink down. The abnormality got its name from this deformation forming a reversed V shape.

The development of hammertoe is due to the collapse of the transverse arch of the foot, as a result of which the load shifts to the base of the toes, and as a result, the big toe begins to tilt outward, and the end of the bone protrudes. Due to the rearrangement, the other toes get less space and get into the already mentioned bent position. With muscles shortening while fixed in the bent position, hammer toe develops.

During the surgery, we need to correct the deformed bone structure in such a way that we remove the protruding head of the toe phalanx, file down the sharp bone edges, and suture the tendon above it. The intervention can be done under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Bunion Surgery

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a growth at the base of the big toe, which is one of the most common deformities of the foot. The process of its development is that the base of the big toe moves outward, its tip inward, towards the other toes, and a painful bone growth occurs on the inner side of the foot. The same deformity can also develop on the little toe (tailor's bunion).

The background to the formation of bunions is also the collapse of the transverse arch, which can be caused by the prolonged wearing of improper footwear - too high heels, narrow toe area.

The method of surgery depends on the degree of deformity. During the procedure, we remove the bone growth, and screw or plate fixation may also be performed.

Heel Spur

A heel spur is a bone deposit (growth) that appears on the heel bone. It occurs where the ligaments and tendons adhere to the heel bone. Its cause is chronic inflammation, which develops as a result of pressure, friction, tension, i.e., continuous irritation: the periosteum covering the heel bone and the surrounding tissues become inflamed.

The growth can appear in two places:

• The posterior heel spur forms at the back of the heel bone, where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone. It is most common in those who regularly run long distances.
• The plantar heel spur forms on the sole of the heel, at the attachment site of the ligaments supporting the arch of the foot. This variant can appear in anyone.

Various conservative treatments may be considered (anti-inflammatory cream, heel insert, physiotherapy), but be prepared for the pain caused by the heel spur to go away slowly over a long period of time.

The orthopedic specialist will make a recommendation about the necessity of surgical intervention. During the surgery, the tendons are detached from the bone, then the deposited cartilaginous bone growth is removed, and finally, the ligaments are reattached.

Ankle Arthroscopy

There can be many reasons for the pain developing in the ankle, the most common of which are surface injuries, wear and tear of the cartilage, detached cartilage pieces, or pinched inflamed tissues. When conservative treatment (drug therapy, physiotherapy, physical therapy) doesn't help, in these cases ankle arthroscopy may be the solution to the pain.

Arthroscopy - the so-called joint mirroring - is a surgical procedure used to investigate the problems of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, and ankle, during which the interior of the joint is examined with the help of a tiny camera. The doctor makes an incision in the skin, through which he introduces the endoscope, and with the help of a camera, he gets an image of the inside of the joint, its condition. In this way, it is possible to recognize, diagnose and even immediate treatment of various changes during the mirroring.

During the procedure, the joint is filled with fluid, then two short incisions are made above the ankle. We introduce the camera through one hole and other tools through the other. The changes found on the cartilage surfaces can be corrected with different methods.

• In the case of cartilage detachment, the detached cartilage pieces and the previously detached cartilage islands are rinsed out of the joint.
• In the case of a larger cartilage defect or joint wear, we make holes in the worn surface with a special tool, the cells in the appearing blood can turn into cartilage over time.