When is Foot & Ankle Surgery Necessary? Key Indicators You Might Need Surgery

Introduction: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Foot and ankle pain—it’s something that can happen to the best of us. Whether it’s a misstep on a hike, or years of standing on your feet for work, the foot and ankle take a lot of strain. Most of the time, these conditions can be managed with non-surgical treatments like rest, physical therapy, and medications. However, in some cases, surgery becomes necessary to address ongoing pain or dysfunction.

But how do you know when it’s time to go under the knife? After all, surgery is a big deal. In this blog, we’ll explore the key indicators that suggest foot and ankle surgery might be the right course of action and how to determine if it’s time for you to consider surgical options.

Let’s walk through the signs and when surgery could be the best step forward.

1. Chronic Pain That Doesn’t Improve with Conservative Treatments

We all experience a bit of foot pain now and then, but if it’s ongoing and refuses to go away despite your best efforts, it could be time to explore surgical options.

What It Looks Like:

• Persistent pain in your foot or ankle, even after trying rest, physical therapy, and medications.
• Pain that affects your daily activities, from walking to standing for long periods.
• The pain doesn’t subside, or keeps coming back despite trying various treatments.

Why It’s Time to Consider Surgery:

• If you’ve tried all the conservative options—ice, rest, medications, and physical therapy—and the pain persists, it could be due to a deeper issue that requires surgery.
• Common conditions that cause chronic pain include arthritis, tendonitis, or ligament damage, all of which may need surgery for long-term relief.
• Surgery can correct the underlying problem and restore function, providing long-term relief that non-surgical treatments just can’t.

When to Seek Surgery:

• When pain becomes unbearable or consistently disrupts your life.
• When rest and therapy haven’t yielded results for several months.
• If pain limits your mobility or quality of life.

Fun Fact: In Australia, approximately 1 in 3 adults experience chronic pain, and foot and ankle issues are among the top causes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

2. Severe or Disabling Foot or Ankle Deformities

Some conditions cause deformities in the foot or ankle that not only lead to discomfort but also make it hard to walk or wear shoes properly. These deformities can be caused by birth defects, injuries, or diseases like arthritis.

What It Looks Like:

• Visible misalignment in your foot or ankle (e.g., bunions, hammer toes, flat feet).
• Difficulty walking, standing, or wearing regular shoes due to the deformity.
• Severe cases where the deformity is limiting your movement and causing constant pain.

Why It’s Time to Consider Surgery:

• Severe deformities can prevent normal movement and cause continuous pain or instability.
• In some cases, the deformity can worsen over time, affecting the entire leg, posture, and even the lower back.
• Surgery can realign the foot or ankle and restore function, allowing you to move freely again.

When to Seek Surgery:

• If the deformity is painful and affects your mobility or posture.
• If conservative treatments (orthotics, pain relief, exercises) don’t work.
• When the deformity is worsening and surgery could prevent further complications.

Fun Fact: Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities, affecting nearly 23% of Australians over the age of 45 (Australian Podiatry Association).

3. Recurrent Ankle Instability

Ankle instability is a common problem, especially for those who’ve had a few sprains or twists. If you find your ankle frequently rolling over, causing pain or discomfort, or you’re constantly worried about it giving way, it might be time to talk surgery.

What It Looks Like:

• The ankle keeps “giving way,” or you often feel like it’s about to twist or collapse.
• Frequent ankle sprains, or the feeling that your ankle is weak, even when you’re not active.
• Pain in the ankle that worsens with walking, running, or standing for extended periods.

Why It’s Time to Consider Surgery:

• After repeated sprains or injuries, the ligaments and tendons around the ankle may become stretched out or damaged, leading to instability.
• Surgery can repair or tighten the ligaments to restore ankle stability, reducing the risk of future injuries.
• If conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy, braces, orthotics) aren’t preventing further sprains or pain, surgery can provide long-term relief.

When to Seek Surgery:

• When instability is recurring and affecting your day-to-day life.
• If the ankle keeps rolling even after rehabilitation or bracing.
• When pain and weakness continue despite trying other treatments.

Fun Fact: Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports, with approximately 25,000 sprains occurring in Australia every day (Sports Medicine Australia).

4. Fractures or Severe Injuries

Accidents happen—whether it’s a bad fall, sports injury, or car accident, fractures and severe injuries to the foot or ankle often require more than just rest and ice.

What It Looks Like:

• A break or fracture in the bones of the foot or ankle.
• Severe pain, swelling, and bruising immediately after an injury.
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injured foot.
• If the bones are misaligned or the injury is severe, the deformity might be visible.

Why It’s Time to Consider Surgery:

• Some fractures, especially if the bones are displaced or multiple fractures occur, require surgery to ensure proper alignment and healing.
• Surgical intervention can help set the bone in place, reduce the risk of complications, and restore full function to the foot or ankle.
• Non-surgical treatments may not be enough to heal severe fractures, and surgery may be required to prevent long-term issues such as arthritis or chronic pain.

When to Seek Surgery:

• If the bones are misaligned or displaced after a fracture.
• If non-surgical treatments (like a cast or splint) aren’t helping or the injury isn’t healing.
• When there’s a risk of complications, such as infection, or if the fracture affects your ability to walk or perform daily tasks.

Fun Fact: Foot fractures make up a significant portion of all bone fractures in Australia, with over 10,000 foot fractures reported annually (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

5. Unsuccessful Results from Previous Surgery

If you’ve had foot or ankle surgery in the past but are still experiencing pain, discomfort, or dysfunction, it might be time to consider additional surgery or a different surgical approach.

What It Looks Like:

• Pain and dysfunction persisting after surgery.
• Limited range of motion or recurring injuries in the same area.
• Swelling or discomfort that doesn’t improve over time.

Why It’s Time to Consider Surgery:

• If the first surgery didn’t fully correct the issue, or if complications developed (e.g., infection, hardware failure), additional surgery might be needed.
• Sometimes, the initial surgery may not have been the best approach, and a different technique or procedure can help achieve better results.
• A second surgery can address the root cause of the issue that wasn’t resolved the first time.

When to Seek Surgery:

• If you continue to experience pain or functional limitations after surgery.
• When your foot or ankle continues to be unstable or misshaped, despite previous treatment.
• If your symptoms are worsening, and further surgical intervention could correct the issue.

Conclusion: Know When to Take Action

Foot and ankle surgery may sound daunting, but it’s often the best way to restore function and alleviate persistent pain. If you’ve been living with foot or ankle pain that doesn’t seem to improve, or if you’re dealing with a severe injury, surgery may be the right solution for you.

However, surgery should always be the last resort after trying more conservative treatments. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider and a specialist to determine the best course of action for your condition. They’ll assess your situation and help guide you toward the best decision, whether that’s surgery or a continued conservative approach.

Your foot and ankle health are critical to maintaining your overall quality of life, so don’t ignore persistent pain or dysfunction. If it’s time to take the next step, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.

FAQs

• What are the most common types of foot and ankle surgeries?
  Some common surgeries include bunion surgery, ankle ligament reconstruction, foot fusion, and heel spur removal.
• How long is the recovery time after foot and ankle surgery?
  Recovery time varies depending on the surgery. Most foot and ankle surgeries take between 6 weeks to 6 months for full recovery.
• Can I walk after foot and ankle surgery?
  Walking is typically restricted in the early stages of recovery, especially for surgeries like fractures or fusions. Your doctor will guide you on when it’s safe to resume walking.
• What are the risks of foot and ankle surgery?
  Like any surgery, risks include infection, blood clots, nerve damage, or complications from anaesthesia. However, the risks are generally low, and surgery is often the best option for long-term relief.
• Is there a non-surgical alternative to surgery for foot and ankle pain?
  Yes! Non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, orthotics, pain management, and lifestyle changes can often help alleviate foot and ankle pain before considering surgery.