{"id":634,"date":"2019-02-07T13:03:08","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T13:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/europeanfootinstitute.com\/?page_id=634"},"modified":"2020-01-31T08:26:11","modified_gmt":"2020-01-31T08:26:11","slug":"foot-surgery-sussex","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/europeanfootinstitute.com\/en\/foot-surgery-sussex\/","title":{"rendered":"Foot Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outstanding foot and ankle surgery in Sussex and London<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Our orthopaedic surgeons Mr. Dirk Nowak and Mr. Dieter Nollau are internationally renowned specialists in operations for foot and ankle diseases. Contact us at The Worthing Laser & Skin Clinic in Worthing for more details.<\/p>\n

Are foot problems mainly an issue affecting women?<\/strong>\u00a0Women have more vulnerable supporting and connective tissue. This, coupled with hormonal influences and exposure to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the use of high-heeled shoes, is a main cause of the problems. Style and design in shoe fashion unfortunately gives no consideration to foot health. The result is about 85% of women over 40 suffer from major foot problems.<\/p>\n

But is it only women\u2019s feet that are particularly vulnerable?<\/strong>\u00a0No. Certain sports promote changes to the feet. Football players suffer problems due to the extreme weight-bearing on their standing leg. With sports women it is mainly tournament, ballet dancers and tennis players who suffer problems. Of course all people whose occupations involve standing for hours on end are also at risk, whether men or women.<\/p>\n

How does a bunion develop?<\/strong>\u00a0The bunion (Hallux valgus) is caused by a splay and flat foot. The joint head of the first metatarsal gradually emerges. The bale is not as often suspected as too much bone (ganglion). If the big toe bends laterally, the neighbouring toes lack space. The pressure between the toes increases. The consequences are calluses, under and over-crossing toes and finally claw and hammer toes. The result is called a \u201ccomplex fore foot deformity\u201d and such a foot will\u00a0not fit into any normal shoe and every step is excruciating.<\/p>\n

What can you do to prevent a bunion?<\/strong>\u00a0If a bunion exists already, an operation is the only option\u00a0to restore the original shape and function of the metatarsal joint. There are very gentle and careful surgical methods available today.<\/p>\n

Could insoles solve the problem?<\/strong>\u00a0They can form the first line of defence but insoles are only effective in early stages as they provide relief to an already damaged foot.<\/p>\n

And how about foot exercises to combat foot pain?<\/strong>\u00a0Basically, every workout of the muscles that support the lateral and longitudinal arch is useful because the muscles are extremely stretched by the lesion of the foot and so wear out. Targeted exercises for the foot include trying out different gaits, such as only walking on the toes then on the heels, changing to walking on the inside and outside edges of the foot. You can stand your foot on the ground and pull the toes to the front or leave a towel on the floor and claw it with the toes. You can spread the big toe inward, then spread all toes and try a \u201cplaying piano\u201d movement with the toes.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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When is an operation the only option?<\/strong>\u00a0If, after lowering of the longitudinal and\/or transverse arch, hammer toes or bunions have emerged, the affected foot will continue to get\u00a0worse. The new, gentle surgical methods are possible even at a young age because no functioning joints are destroyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What happens during the procedure?<\/strong>The most successful and most gentle micro-invasive surgical technique for the patient is the displacement of the first metatarsal bone, known as the Boesch technique. The incision is only 5 to 10 millimetres, followed by a very gentle bone conversion and reorientation. In addition, there are other osteotomy procedures available, depending on the diagnosis. In some operations the longitudinal and square arch can be erected simultaneously. Thus, the foot gets back to an optimum function.<\/p>\n

Is it ever too late for an operation?<\/strong>\u00a0No, but most sufferers come to see the doctor far too late and usually only when the pain of wearing normal shoes has become unbearable and\/or impossible. However, the pain is the last signal, marking the end of a change in the foot, which took over 10 to 15 years to complete and this should not have to be tolerated.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What causes this raging pain?<\/strong>\u00a0The bunion (Hallux valgus) affects the performance of the foot. The function of the first fore foot beam is weakened \u2013 this is the part of the foot from the big toe to the first metatarsal. As a result, the rest of the foot bears more and more weight when walking and rolling, putting stress on the foot. The pressure on the sole of the foot increases, calluses grow and pain is the result. The foot has fallen out of balance. At this stage, the joint at the big toe dislocates, the capsule gets affected and tendons shrink \u2013 all in all an horrific scenario for the foot.<\/p>\n

Is it more difficult to operate on a deformed foot?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, because the position of the joints are usually very fixed and rigid. Damage and wear and tear are well advanced. Nevertheless, almost every complex fore foot deformity can be corrected with the new, gentle surgical methods.<\/p>\n

What happens after the operation?<\/strong>\u00a0The procedure is performed as an outpatient and the patient leaves the clinic on foot,\u00a0immediately able to put full weight on their foot\/feet. A wire is introduced into the foot as a kind of internal splint and stabilises the foot. The wire will be removed pain free after four weeks. The patient will have to wear special sandals for about 6 weeks to protect the operated foot\/feet.<\/p>\n

What happens when both feet are damaged?<\/strong>\u00a0In 90 per cent of cases, both feet are operated on at the same time, simply because the patient can walk immediately after the operation. The patient is therefore self-sufficient and not dependent on post-op care. Hours of walking and standing in the early stages after the operation is not advised, however, after weight-bearing intervals the foot should be rested and cooled.<\/p>\n

How long does the healing process after surgery take?<\/strong>\u00a0After four weeks the wire is removed you will be asked to wear the Darco bandage for another 2 weeks to support the foot further. After that you can start wearing wider shoes and gradually get back into your nice shoes with heels. The bones will heal completely over the next 8 weeks. Should swelling occur, lymphatic drainage and cooling will help.<\/p>\n

What are the risks of foot surgery?<\/strong>\u00a0Due to the micro-invasive surgical method, which does not require large incisions, the risks are relatively minimal. In the last 10 years, over 8,500 patients have had the procedure and did not experience any major complications.<\/p>\n

How successful is this operation?<\/strong>\u00a0As part of a multi-centre post-operation study, involving American results for the methods of refurbishment and conversion of the foot bones in minimally invasive techniques, a high success rate of good and excellent results was found in patients who had had the intervention more than six years previously .<\/p>\n

Are the feet bigger after surgery?<\/strong>\u00a0The feet reach their original size again. The bunion leading to the surgery will have changed the shape of the foot and in a few cases, the operated foot will be slightly narrower as before.<\/p>\n

What rehabilitation measures are necessary after surgery?<\/strong>\u00a0A targeted physiotherapy is only required in exceptional cases. In general, constant movement of the toes, lymphatic drainage, as well as spreading and stretching exercises, is enough to strengthen the muscles. When walking, you should pay particular attention to the rolling of the feet so that the function of the metatarsophalangeal joints and the erected arch are back to normal.<\/p>\n

How long until the foot is fully recovered?<\/strong>\u00a0After about 7 weeks, the foot is fully stabilised so the patient can take up the usual activities at work, home and sports again. Considering the foot had been deformed for a decade or more, this course of treatment is extremely short.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What is osteoarthritis in the foot?<\/strong>\u00a0The cartilage layer acts as a shock absorber in all joints. Accidents and wear fray the cartilage surface gradually destroying it. If the arthritis progresses, the bone is exposed and unprotected.This results in a lot of pain and stiffness in the affected joints such as shoulders, knees, hips, and feet too. The ankle will gradually get stiff, up rolling on your foot will be impossible and every step will become excruciating.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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