Foot & Ankle Surgery

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If you have a foot or ankle injury or condition, we will first try to address it by using nonsurgical care. The good news is that many patients are successfully treated without needing surgery. When it is necessary, however, you can have peace of mind knowing that Dr. Andrew Marso has experience and skill in performing foot and ankle surgeries, including:

Bone Spur

When your body faces persistent force or pressure in a certain area, it can respond by building up calcium deposits on the nearest bone as a form of protection. These calcium buildups are called spurs, and you could potentially develop one without even knowing it. When they do make their presence aware, often by pressing against soft tissue, you will feel pain or discomfort. Common locations for these spurs are toes, the heel, and around joints. An effective surgical treatment for a bone spur causing pain is to level it out.

Ingrown Toenails

Dr. Andrew Marso will attempt other procedures to treat ingrown nails before recommending a complete nail removal, but this can become a necessary option if the same nail repeatedly has the issue time and time again. For a toenail removal, you will be given local anesthesia via an injection. Once the affected toe has been sufficiently numbed, special tools are used to cut the ingrown toenail down towards the bottom. At this point, either part or the entire nail will be removed. If the problem is recurrent, we may take measures to prevent the nail matrix from allowing the toenail to grow back.

Neuroma

If you experience the strange sensation that you are constantly stepping on a stone—when one doesn’t exist—you may have a neuroma. This condition can also cause burning and tingling pain, caused by a thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve in your foot. Depending on your case, the nerve may need to be surgically removed to relieve the pain.

Bunion

When your big toe is misaligned and points inward, it creates a bump at the joint on the inner edge of your foot. This can cause pain and make it difficult to enjoy activities. If conservative care doesn’t provide enough relief and improve the situation, Dr. Andrew Marso will likely recommend a surgical procedure.

Bunion surgery is often a matter of moving the bone and joint back into their natural positions. Once everything is back to where it should be, your bunion pain will be alleviated. Other options include bunionectomy (removing the bony protrusion) or procedures to address the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint.

Hammer Toes

This particular toe deformity is typically marked by an abnormal bend in the middle joint of the second toe, which forces the top part of the toe to point downwards. There are cases of hammer toes which are successfully treated with nonsurgical methods, but a toe that has become set in the abnormal position will likely need a tendon to be altered surgically. Should it be necessary, we may opt to remove bone tissue, which can allow the toe to return to its straight, normal position.

Preparing for Foot and Ankle Surgery

Some of the considerations you need to keep in mind when preparing for foot surgery include:

Schedule time off from work. You will need time both for your procedure and the recovery process, so make sure you let your employer know. As we discuss your surgery together, we can let you know what you should expect timewise.
Follow instructions about when to eat (or not) before surgery. This will be dictated by whether anesthesia is going to be used, and what kind is administered.
Wear loose-fitting clothing. Comfortable clothing isn’t always the most stylish, but you will be glad you opted for loosing-fitting clothes when you put them back on over the surgical site.
Arrange a ride home. Both anesthesia and the affected foot itself are reasons you will likely need someone else to drive you to and from the procedure.
Make plans for child care. If you have children living at home, especially younger ones, you may need to ask your spouse or family members to help with child care. You will need to spend time resting during recovery and your mobility may be limited, so chasing kids around is out of the question.

Your Top Choice for Foot and Surgery in Milwaukee County

Electing to have surgery is not an easy decision. Our goal is to make it easier on you by consistently providing first-class care and treatment and earning the positive referrals our patients give. When you need a surgical procedure to put your foot or ankle pain behind you, Wisconsin Foot Center is here to help. Give our Hales Corner, WI office a call at (414) 425-8400 and our staff will help schedule your appointment.