When Is Foot Surgery an Option?

At Dallas Podiatry Works, all of our doctors are highly skilled and highly trained foot and ankle surgeons. We regularly perform all kinds of surgeries, from complex rearfoot reconstructions, to ankle repair, to bunion removal.

But that doesn’t mean we’re eager to put you under the knife, either. While most surgeries we perform are safe and effective in a high percentage of cases, there are always risks and uncertainties. Furthermore, the outcome will also depend on factors out of our control—for example, how well you’re able to follow your aftercare instructions.

Surgery is sometimes necessary, but it should always be approached cautiously and thoughtfully. In many cases, there will be non-surgical options and alternatives that may be able to provide comparable (or better) results. In other cases, conservative care might not fix a problem (for example, correct a bunion deformity), but if it brings you pain relief and allows you to live an active lifestyle, you may consider that more than sufficient.

So, under what circumstances would we consider surgery to be an option? Here are some basic guidelines:

• Conservative care isn’t working. Generally speaking, before we’d consider surgery, we’ll recommend thoroughly pursuing non-surgical treatments first. However, if you’ve tried these remedies and are still struggling, surgery is often the next logical step.
• Conservative care is unlikely or unable to deliver satisfactory results. For some serious injuries, surgery is really the only option. If, say, you’ve suffered a severe traumatic fracture and bones need to be completely realigned, conservative care isn’t really an option. In other cases, like a ruptured Achilles tendon, surgery might be chosen initially due to certain advantages or lifestyle preferences.
• Pain is so severe that it impairs daily living. In such cases, simply fixing the problem as soon as possible may be preferable to weeks or months of conservative treatments that may or may not work in the long run.
• Your health status makes you a good candidate for surgery. Illnesses, genetic conditions, and other factors might make surgery riskier for some people and less for others. For example, you might have more difficulty with clotting wounds, or fighting off infections. In cases where the safety of surgery might be compromised, surgery may not be recommended even if other conditions are met.

At Dallas Podiatry Works, our chief goal is always getting you the care you need through whatever means are most appropriate for your condition and for your lifestyle. We’ll always take the time to talk through your options with you so that you can feel confident and prepared for your treatment. Schedule an appointment with us by calling 972.853.7100 today.