Foot conditions are a common problem for many people and often the source of mild to severe pain. Many different foot conditions can affect people, with various origins and symptoms, one common symptom being pain within the feet. A few examples of foot conditions include plantar warts, ingrown toenails, and hammertoes.
While you can quickly treat some foot conditions with non-invasive techniques, others require you to work with a board certified foot surgeon in New York, NY, for complete recovery. This article looks at some of the different foot conditions that you can only treat through surgery. Read on to learn more.
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Achilles Problems
An Achilles condition can prevent you from walking, running, and carrying out other activities. The Achilles tendon is a strong band of tissue that runs down the back of your lower leg to your heels. This band allows you to push off when you walk or run using the muscles in the lower legs. If any part of this band is inflamed, you will have Achilles problems. Some people get this condition from overuse of the muscles in the lower legs while running or walking. Other times, an Achilles injury can be caused by not stretching before exercising.
Doctors typically recommend surgery to repair a damaged Achilles tendon. The only way to ensure complete recovery is by working with a foot surgeon.
Ankle Fracture
Fractures are some of the most common injuries associated with the ankle area. If you have suffered an ankle fracture or have sprained your ankle, you may require surgery to ensure complete recovery. An infection can occur if the broken bones are not treated correctly, leading to severe medical conditions such as osteomyelitis.
Doctors may also recommend surgery for people who continue to feel pain around the ankle region after an injury or sprain. This is because small fragments remain of the broken bones that can cause problems unless removed surgically.
Neuroma
Neuromas are small tumors surrounding the nerves in your feet. The symptoms of this condition include pain, discomfort, and inflammation. When neuroma affects your toes or foot nerves, you can experience a burning sensation that is often described as feeling similar to pins and needles. Other symptoms of this condition include difficulty walking because of numbness and discomfort and aching or throbbing pain in your feet.
Neuromas are usually benign but can cause severe problems if they become too large. In some cases, you may need to undergo surgery if neuroma affects the nerves within the toes or foot.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a condition where the bones and joints of your toes become deformed. It occurs when you experience an abnormal bending in the middle joint of your toe, making it difficult for you to move your feet normally. You can suffer from this condition because of tight footwear that restricts movement or has arthritis affecting the tendons and ligaments surrounding your feet.
Hammertoe can cause significant pain and discomfort and may require surgery to correct the deformity.
In summary, foot conditions can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Although you can treat some at home, others like hammertoes, neuromas, ankle fractures, and Achilles problems need surgical intervention.