Foot Surgeon in Miami

Understanding How the Feet and Ankles Work

Our feet comprise 26 bones and over 33 joints arranged in columns and arches that create varying stiffness and flexibility. Patients may suffer from several problems that take place in this complex structure.

Our ankle bones are connected with the leg bones by the ankle joint, acting as a hinge. The ankle joint enables us to bend the feet up and down. Furthermore, the muscles in the lower legs are attached to bones in the feet by tendons that control movement enabling us to stand, walk, and jump.

If you suffer from pain in your feet, you may wonder if you need to visit a foot surgeon in Miami from our team. Surgery can reduce pain when other methods don’t work, but should be considered a last resort to alleviate pain and restore range of motion in the lower body.

No matter what kind of injury or condition you face, situations may arise where other treatments aren’t helpful. This is when the time is right to think about undergoing a surgical procedure on your feet.

When to See a Foot Surgeon

When you suffer from foot and ankle problems, you will want to search for a care provider specializing in podiatry like Southernmost Foot & Ankle Specialists. While you could visit a primary care physician, these doctors specialize in primary care, not necessarily having the training, knowledge, and experience necessary to properly diagnose and treat complex podiatric problems.

A foot surgeon in Miami from our team can efficiently diagnose and treat the root causes of your lower body pain and conditions instead of simply addressing symptoms that may result from another underlying condition.

Most patients do not require surgery for issues related to their feet or ankles. The decision to operate may depend on several factors including:

How Bad Your Symptoms Are
Your Unique, Individual Needs
Your Response to Other Treatment Approaches
- Medication
- Orthotics and Specialized Footwear
- Physical Therapy

These concerns are important to discuss with your healthcare provider. A podiatrist can advise you on whether or not surgery is a suitable or viable option for your needs.

Fractured Feet

Patients may suffer from fractures in the feet that require treatment from surgery. In some cases, a cast can help the foot heal. However, if a bone breaks into pieces or a fracture displaces bones in the feet, surgery may ultimately be necessary. Surgery can realign bones and stabilize the lower body area.

Tendon Injuries

Patients may tear tendons, disabling their ability to connect bones with muscles. This prevents the ankle and foot from working properly. While slight tears can heal, larger and more significant tendon injuries will not health on their own.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful condition that remains challenging to diagnose and treat. In some cases, treatment from a foot surgeon in Miami can help to provide relief from an arthritis condition.

Some foot surgeons will perform a fusion, enabling a joint to become more stable and heal. This approach can additionally remove arthritis from the area entirely, reducing both the symptoms and the pain.

Arthritis commonly affects the subtalar joint that enables the foot and ankle to move. The joint resides near the ankle joint, and when impacted by arthritis, fusion surgery may be necessary. Fusion enables the bones to begin healing and the patient to return to their normal function.

Chronic Foot and Ankle Pain

You may face a wide variety of causes related to pain in your feet and ankles. A foot surgeon in Miami will be able to narrow down the many possibilities through their training and experience. Their unique training and knowledge enable them to make a diagnosis based on the results of an initial evaluation of the condition. Once a trained specialist can determine a diagnosis, you may have multiple options including surgery based on the severity of the injury or condition.