4 Subtle Signs of a Growing Bunion
Bunions can start small and unintrusive, but with time, they can grow bigger and cause more problems. Find out four signs of a growing bunion and what you can do if they get worse.
Modern Reconstructive Surgery Techniques for Foot and Ankle Problems
Being born with structural abnormalities in your feet, serious injuries, and diseases can all cause your foot or ankle to develop problems that make it difficult to walk or maintain your quality of life. If the issues in your foot are severe enough that conservative treatment can’t help, reconstructive surgery can fix the problems for good.
Modern advancements in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, performed skillfully by Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, from Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, mean you can expect significant improvements in the appearance and functioning of your foot after the procedure. Find out more about how modern reconstructive surgery can treat your foot and ankle problems.
Understanding reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive surgery treats any problems in the bones, soft tissues, or ligaments in your feet or ankles that are causing problems with the structure of your foot. This type of surgery is best for you when your foot or ankle has issues that can’t be fixed with nonsurgical treatment or other surgical procedures.
Reconstructive surgery can improve your foot's anatomy, functionality, and cosmetic appearance. If you’re in extreme pain or struggling with disability from foot and ankle problems that haven’t otherwise been treatable, reconstructive surgery can be life-changing.
Conditions reconstructive surgery treats
You can benefit from reconstructive surgery if you have a birth defect, condition, injury, infection, or illness that has structurally altered your foot. Examples of foot and ankle issues that often respond well to reconstructive surgery include:
- Severe ankle sprain
- Flat feet
- Charcot foot
- Severe foot or ankle fractures
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Other reasons to consider reconstructive surgery include diabetes, vascular or metabolic diseases that cause severe ulcers on the foot, and foot defects you’re born with, like club foot.
Modern reconstructive surgeries
The advantage of modern reconstructive surgical techniques is that they make your foot look normal and help it function like new. Whether it’s your soft tissues, bones, tendons, or some combination that needs to be reconstructed, Dr. Rambacher’s revolutionary techniques can fix the problems in your feet and ankles.
Some of the modern procedures Dr. Rambacher uses include:
- Adjusting and shifting foot and ankle bones back into place
- Lengthening the tendon by gently stretching it
- Reinforcing weakened joints with plates or screws
- Using wires or bolts to support the bones in your foot
- Using flaps that can include tissues, skin, bones, fat, and muscle to rebuild areas with dead or damaged tissues
- Transferring a tendon from another part of your body or a donor to support weakened or unusable ligaments
- Surgical debridement by removing damaged or dead tissues from wounds
- Skin grafting or flaps if there are open wounds
Dr. Rambacher personalizes each reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, and surgery and recovery times can vary significantly depending on his procedures and techniques. Many reconstructive surgeries he performs are minimally invasive, meaning they use tiny incisions and have shorter recovery periods.
When your foot or ankle problems aren’t improving, and you’re facing potential permanent disability or even amputation, reconstructive surgery is often the solution you need. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
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