Treating foot and ankle orthopedic conditions is always a challenge. Unlike other orthopedic conditions foot and ankle pain has always been a difficult to diagnose for orthopedic surgeons as this subject is less explored in orthopedic training.
Due to lack of awareness amongst general population and limited exposure for general orthopedic surgeons often foot and ankle problems get ignored or treated in adequately. A sub speciality of orthopaedic specialist under go specific training in dealing with fractures, deformity, and painful conditions of foot and ankle and are called fellowships trained foot and ankle surgeon which is some thing extra in addition to orthopedic degree.
So when we should consider seeking a foot and ankle specialist is when your pain in any foot and ankle region is not subsiding with medications or you are having recurrent pain or swelling.
There are more than 20 bones and joints in the foot and ankle making it very difficult to detect and diagnose the exact point of problem. So it is always better to be diagnosed by someone who is better trained and has the experience of dealing with many foot and ankle cases.
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A 3 dimensional in depth knowledge and clincial examination is a must to deal with chronic foot pain. We sometimes do CT scan and MRI scans to confirm our probable diagnosis which gives a better 3 DIMENTIIOMAL knowledge of the foot disease. Once the diagnosis is done which is the most difficult part, we can start treatment. Multimodal treatment methods are available like medicines, key hole (Ankle Arthroscopic surgery) and open surgery.
Few special conditions in foot and ankle orthopedics
- Plantar fascisits
- Tendo achilles insertion pathology
- Calcaneal stress fracture
- Lisfranc fracture
- Fracture around ankle
- Deformity of foot
- Deformity of toe.
- Foor ulcers.
- Ligaments repair
- Ankle arthroscopy surgery
- Diabetic foot deformity
- Flat foot
Many more conditions exist like this but we are not able to guide the patients in the right direction and they end up hurting themselves.
It is our duty to diagnose the condition of pain and where it is generating from. My sincere opinion to all is don’t wait till it’s too late if analgesic are not working are problems are increasing.