Range of treatment
The scope of foot surgery includes, among other things, the correction of hallux valgus (a misalignment of the big toe), the treatment of hallux rigidus (osteoarthritis of the big toe joint) and the correction of hammer and claw toes. Other painful deformities of the forefoot and midfoot can also be treated surgically.
Surgical procedure
For hallux valgus, the choice of procedure depends on the extent of the deformity — the more pronounced it is, the more proximal the bony correction must be. For hallux rigidus, depending on the stage, the spectrum ranges from removing disruptive bone spurs to fusing the big toe joint. Hammer and claw toes are straightened by corrective procedures close to the joint.
Aftercare
After foot surgery, a special shoe (such as a forefoot-relief shoe) is usually worn for a few weeks. The exact duration depends on the procedure and bone healing. In the first months after surgery there is a certain tendency for the foot to swell. The individual aftercare plan is discussed at the practice.