Forefoot Surgeries Specialists

What are forefoot surgeries?

Your forefoot is the area of your foot located directly under your toes. Often called the ball of the foot, your forefoot supports your weight and helps you move with ease. 

As a result, it’s prone to injury and deformity that can make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time without pain.

Which conditions do forefoot surgeries treat?

Forefoot surgeries can correct a wide range of painful conditions and foot deformities, such as:

Bunions

A bunion is a bony lump that typically forms at the base of your big toe. Anybody can get bunions, but they often develop due to ill-fitting shoes, arthritis, or too much stress on your feet.

Neuromas

Neuromas are pinched nerves in the foot that can lead to chronic pain, tingling, and numbness in your toes and forefoot.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes cause your toes to curl underneath your feet. They happen when the muscles in your toes start to weaken from tight or narrow shoes.

Bone spurs

A bone spur is a bony growth that can form on your foot. Bone spurs that develop on the forefoot often develop from osteoarthritis, a common wear-and-tear form of arthritis.

How do I know if I need forefoot surgery?

You may need forefoot surgery if your injury or deformity hasn’t responded well to nonsurgical interventions. Depending on the problem with your forefoot, you can experience:

• Chronic foot pain
• Intermittent foot pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Foot growths
• Awkwardly bending toes
• Calluses
• Difficulty walking without pain

After a full examination of your foot, which often includes an X-ray, the team at Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists can determine if you’re a good candidate for forefoot surgery.

What happens during forefoot surgeries?

All forefoot surgeries are different depending on your condition, so talk to your podiatrist about how to prepare beforehand.

Most forefoot surgeries require local anesthesia, but you may need general anesthesia to fully sedate you during the procedure. Rarely do patients need to stay overnight in the hospital after forefoot surgery, so you can expect to go home the same day.

It’s important for your recovery to rest, ice, and elevate your foot after surgery to avoid reinjury. With the right rehabilitation plan, you can regain full function of your foot after it heals.

To learn more, call Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.