Reconstructive Foot Surgery

Reconstructive foot surgery from expert podiatrists in Woodbury Heights, Haddon Heights, Voorhees, & Pine Hill, NJ

Our podiatric surgeons at Prime Foot & Ankle are experts in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

Foot reconstruction surgery is performed to correct anatomical problems and restore function in the foot. Common indications for reconstructive foot surgery include trauma, congenital disabilities, infection, and other illnesses. 

Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery should aim to improve the appearance and function of the lower extremities so that the patient can maintain or improve their quality of life. 

Your feet are extremely complicated, comprised of dozens of bones, ligaments, joints, and muscles. When performing actions like walking or running, these structures must work synchronously. With heavy daily forces, injuries and wounds on the feet are common. 

Foot reconstruction surgery is the final option for such conditions. If the condition is worsening or causing a severe impact on your mental health, personal, and social life, then reconstructive foot and ankle surgery may be the only solution.

What are the indications for foot reconstruction surgery?

Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery has numerous potential causes. The condition is almost always severe, and the surgery must be capable of restoring your foot back to its original health and function. 

Here are the major indications for foot reconstruction surgery:

  • Foot trauma. Major foot injuries from work-related or motor vehicle accidents commonly need reconstruction, depending on the injury's extent. Foot trauma severity is classified into the levels:

    • Type I: soft tissue loss of less than three square centimeters

    • Type II: soft tissue loss greater than three square centimeters without bone involvement

    • Type III: significant tissue loss with bone involvement

  • Vascular disease. Damage to the arteries or veins can lead to ulceration, tissue death, and infection. If so, reconstruction may be the only surgical option to improve functioning.

  • Metabolic disease. Conditions like diabetes, gout, and alcoholism can all impair the blood and nerve supply to the foot. These conditions can result in painless, crater-like foot ulcers and other significant damage if left untreated.

  • Infection. Foot or ankle infections are most common in vascular disease or diabetes but can also result from trauma. 

  • Tumors. Melanomas, epitheliomas, and sarcoma are less common indications for foot reconstruction surgery.

  • Congenital defects. Malformations like clubfoot or spina bifida require reconstructive foot surgery to avoid permanent, lifelong deformity.

What to expect from reconstructive foot surgery?

With a large number of indications, reconstructive foot surgery can take a variety of forms. Additional factors include the individual's age and severity and duration of the symptoms. 

Before the surgery, your podiatric surgeon will review your condition. Several blood tests may be ordered to ensure you're healthy enough for surgery and don't have any conditions that could affect your recovery. 

Depending on the kind of surgery, you may receive local anesthesia, a nerve block, or general anesthesia. For more severe cases, general anesthesia is used – you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. New advances in reconstructive foot surgery mean the operation is no longer as invasive. Small incisions are made to insert an arthroscope and miniature surgical instruments. 

The surgeon will use these instruments to repair or remove damaged bone, tendons, and ligaments. Dead or scarred tissue may also be debrided as part of the operation. Your small incision will then be sutured shut. 

Afterward, your surgeon will review your condition to ensure your condition is progressing. You'll typically see a physical therapist for muscle strengthening to speed up recovery. Nevertheless, you may need a wheelchair or crutches for several days following the procedure.

 FAQs

  • No. As part of the operation, some form of anesthesia will be administered. You should not feel any pain. After the operation, you may feel some pain or discomfort. Your surgeon will likely prescribe pain medications like opioids or acetaminophen until you fully heal.

  • Your recovery depends on the extent of the operation. You may return to normal after a few days or weeks for minor foot reconstruction surgery. In more severe cases, several weeks or months may be needed for the operation to heal fully.

  • Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery is typically essential to restoring your lower extremities to normal (or close to normal) function. It is therefore commonly covered by more insurance plans.

  • All reconstruction surgery aims to restore the patient's foot and ankle to normal. While this may not be possible in all cases, most patients can function as they did previously.