Surgery for Arthritic Joints
posted: Feb. 24, 2022.
Surgery for Arthritic Joints
Arthritis can cause problems with the joints in the body, including the ankle, foot, and toes. Different forms of arthritis can occur that may be more likely to affect specific joints. Some types of arthritis occur gradually, and others come on quicker.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 58 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis. While not everyone that develops arthritis has problems with their feet, joint damage in ankles, feet, and toes is common.
Charcot Foot
In some cases, specific diseases may lead to a certain type of arthritis. For example, people with diabetes may develop a type of arthritis called Charcot foot. People that develop this condition tend to be around early middle-age.
About one-third of the people that have the condition develop it in both feet. Unlike other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, it often comes on suddenly. The bones in the ankle or feet may fracture. The arch of the foot may collapse, and it can cause deformities of the feet.
Various types of treatment are available for Charcot foot, such as casting and custom shoes. But in some cases, surgery may be recommended. Different types of surgical approaches may be used. In some instances, minimally invasive procedures may be performed. For example, if the foot is stable but has a deformity, percutaneous bone shaving may be done.
Types of Surgery for Arthritis
There are also additional types of surgery for arthritic joints. The type of procedure needed may depend on the extent of joint damage and how it interferes with daily activities. Options may include:
Debridement: This type of surgery involves removing inflamed synovial tissue and bone spurs from around the joint. It may be helpful in the early stages of arthritis. This may be performed with minimally invasive surgery.
Midfoot realignment: This surgery involves placing different types of internal fixation to improve foot stability and function.
Hindfoot realignment: Similar to midfoot realignment, fixations are placed in the hindfoot to help treat instability, which affects walking.
Are You a Candidate for Surgery for Arthritis?
Surgery is not needed for everyone that has arthritis that affects their feet. Other interventions, such as orthotics, ice and heat, and injections, may be an appropriate treatment strategy. But in other cases, surgery may be recommended.
How do you know if you are a good candidate for foot surgery for arthritis? The best way to determine if surgery is right for you is to see a foot specialist. Your foot specialist will perform an exam and review your medical history.
You may be a good candidate for foot surgery in the following instances:
Other treatments have not been successful
You have constant pain in the foot, toes, or ankle
You have pain with walking
Pain interferes with daily activities
What to Expect
What to expect with surgery depends on the type of procedure you have performed. For example, usually, minimally invasive procedures are performed under local anesthetic in the office. You may or may not have to wear a boot on your foot, depending on the procedure.
Some procedures may require that you do not place weight on your foot for a certain amount of time. Before surgery, your foot specialist will discuss post-operative healing, ways to manage any discomfort, and any activity restrictions.
If you have any questions about surgery for arthritis, it is best to see a podiatrist for an exam and possible treatment. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Podiatrist, Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M at Bayview Eglinton Podiatry Clinic in Toronto.
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm