Do I Need Reconstructive Foot Surgery?

Four regions make up the foot:

1. Toes

2. Dorsum (Upper Surface)

3. Sole

4. Ankle

All those regions are formed by ligaments, muscles, and bones. Together, they help us walk, run, and move through our daily lives. When injury or illness impacts those areas of the foot, it can reduce the foot’s functionality - severely affecting a person’s quality of life. 

What Is Foot Reconstructive Surgery?

Foot reconstruction is a procedure to treat foot disorders or injuries that are impacting your foot’s health and function. Thanks to advances in technology, foot reconstructive surgery is considered an outpatient procedure and performed arthroscopically.

Here’s what typically happens during arthroscopic foot reconstruction:

1. Tiny incisions are made around the foot and/or ankle

2. Dr. Elton inserts a small camera (arthroscope) and small surgical tools into the incisions

3. The arthroscope displays the internal foot structure, allowing Dr. Elton to see the damaged sections of the foot

4. Dr. Elton and his team repair and remove the damaged sections of the foot

Arthroscopic foot reconstruction is an outpatient procedure with minimal trauma made to the surrounding tissue. 

Who Gets Foot Reconstructive Surgery?

Foot reconstruction is used to treat a wide variety of foot injuries and disorders, including:

• Bunions

• Hammertoe

• Flat Feet

• Chronic Foot Pain

• Fractures

• Bone Spurs

• Heel Spurs

• Plantar Fasciitis 

• Foot Deformities

• Tumor and Lesion Removal

• Ligament Repair 

• Tendon Injuries

Patients who undergo foot reconstructive surgery come from all ages, genders, and athletic abilities. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to reduce pain, restore function, and repair appearance. 

Dr. Elton only recommends foot reconstructive surgery to patients when all conservative treatment methods have failed to resolve the condition and its painful symptoms.

Signs You Need Foot Reconstructive Surgery

Regardless of the condition you’re experiencing, you should discuss foot reconstruction with an orthopaedic physician if you are:

• Having pain that impacts your day-to-day function

• Finding no relief with nonsurgical treatment

• Making changes to your lifestyle to accommodate a chronic condition

• Giving up activities you love due to painful symptoms 

• Having difficulty wearing shoes

• Experiencing problems standing 

• Unable to make normal movements of the foot

• Diagnosed with an injury or condition  that has caused a foot deformity

The type of foot reconstructive surgery that Dr. Elton may recommend depends on several factors such as:

• Age of the individual

• Type of foot disorder

• Severity and duration of the symptoms

Dr. Elton will work with you to diagnose your foot condition and recommend a treatment plan that gets you back on your feet. 

Foot Reconstructive Surgeon in the High Rockies 

Dr. Elton is a foot and ankle orthopaedic specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery. He and his team treat patients out of three clinics located in both Eagle and Summit County. 

If your foot pain or deformity is impacting your quality of life, request a consultation at any of our clinics by calling (970) 476-7220 or through our online appointment form. 

Dr. Elton and his team will create a treatment plan that’s right for you and your lifestyle, make sure you know what to expect during your foot reconstructive procedure, and have you back on your feet in no time. Make the first step towards recovery - contact Dr. Elton today!