Corrective foot surgery is often needed for more traumatic injuries following a severe break. However, less serious foot injuries left untreated can develop into more serious problems and require surgery. Dr. Rachel Verville sees patients at her Frisco, TX office to prevent injuries before they need surgical treatment. When patients need surgical treatment, Dr. Verville draws from ten years of experience treating traumatic and elective foot surgeries to improve patients’ mobility and quality of life.

When Will I Need Foot Surgery?

The telltale symptoms of deeper foot and ankle problems often develop after conservative treatment approaches such as resting, icing, compression, and elevation fail to restore patients’ range of motion. Dr. Verville will evaluate the severity of your foot condition during a consultation, using imaging for a conclusive diagnosis. Common problems that require surgery are:

  • Foot fracture to repair breaks in the bone.
  • Fungal toenails to remove the infected toenail and allow a new one to regrow.
  • Achilles Tendon Injuries to lengthen or shorten the tendon and improve function after injury.
  • Broken toe most often used to correct a broken big toe that requires more serious treatment due to size and role in balance when walking and standing.

In extreme cases, other conditions such as diabetic foot may require surgery if the condition is not properly managed.

Elective Foot Surgery

Some foot surgeries are elective and performed to eliminate discomfort for patients who are experiencing serious problems easily corrected with surgery. Many Frisco patients elect to have surgery for:

  • Hammertoes to realign joints by removing part of toe bone and letting them fuse together as they heal or placing an implant in the toe.
  • Bunions to remove bones or realign joints so that function is restored.
  • Plantar Fasciitis to release the ligament causing tension and pain.

Dr. Verville has ten years of experience performing elective foot surgeries that relieve patients from pain and discomfort caused by their conditions.

Recovery Time for Foot Surgery

Whether elective or necessary, foot surgery requires you to be off your feet for a period of time that can last up to several weeks. This does not mean that you need to miss work for an extended period of time, especially if your job does not require you to be on your feet for most of the time. After surgery you will need to:

  • Completely immobilize your foot for an extended period of time.
  • Wear a cast or walking boot to limit mobility a few weeks after recovery.
  • Use crutches, a knee scooter, walker, wheelchair, or some other support to keep weight off your foot.
  • Limit your activities for at least a few months to heal completely.

While foot surgery does require a time investment, surgery alleviates recurring foot pain and discomfort in the long term.

Preventing Foot Surgery

The best way to avoid foot surgery is to prevent it. For cases of trauma that involve a heavy item falling on your foot or missteps that result in fracture, surgery is a necessity. But other conditions can be treated more conservatively if caught early. Dr. Verville recommends that patients visit her office in Frisco, TX if they experience:

  • Changes in the appearance of their feet, toes, or ankles.
  • Discomfort or pain, even if it is mild.
  • Minor injuries such as sprains, which can grow worse if not treated.

Dr. Verville can also assist patients with advice and preventative options for maintaining healthy feet and ankles before problems arise.

If you want to treat or prevent foot surgery, schedule an appointment at our Frisco, TX office by calling (214) 385-8822.