What does reconstructive surgery involve?
Reconstructive surgery is an orthopedic operation that corrects the structures of your foot and ankle, restoring function and mobility lost due to an accident, injury, or degenerative disease.
Your feet and ankles contain a complex network of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The design of your feet and ankles allows them to resist heavy forces and regular wear-and-tear, but trauma can still occur. If conservative treatments like physical therapy and rest aren’t able to ease your symptoms, surgical intervention may be necessary.
What issues can reconstructive surgery address?
At Ankle and Foot Center of Florida, Dr. Gonzalez performs reconstructive surgery to treat a number of issues. He may recommend surgery to:
- Align and set broken bones
- Remove damaged cartilage
- Repair torn ligaments or tendons
- Replace an ankle joint with a prosthetic
Dr. Gonzalez also performs surgery to address chronic problems like plantar fasciitis and neuromas.
What happens during reconstructive surgery?
Thanks to advances in technology, Dr. Gonzalez offers minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. He usually performs reconstructive surgery on-site as an outpatient procedure.
Before surgery, Dr. Gonzalez administers general anesthesia, ensuring you fall asleep and feel no pain. Then he makes a small incision and inserts an arthroscope with a small camera attached to it into the injured area. After pinpointing the source of your discomfort, Dr. Gonzalez uses a series of tiny surgical instruments to repair your foot and ankle.
If you have broken bones or damaged tendons and ligaments, Dr. Gonzalez may use a series of screws and pins to repair the area and hold it in place. If you suffer from osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis, Dr. Gonzalez can perform an ankle replacement surgery and replace your damaged bone with a prosthetic.
After finishing your operation, Dr. Gonzalez closes the incisions with stitches or surgical staples and applies a splint, cast, or dressings to limit mobility and promote healing.
What is recovery like following reconstructive surgery?
Minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy promise smaller incisions, less pain, and quicker recovery times. After surgery, Dr. Gonzalez prescribes antibiotics and pain medication and gives you a list of recovery instructions to follow.
Take your medications as prescribed, keep your leg elevated, and apply ice as necessary. Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may also need crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair to help you move around. Be patient, follow the instruction Dr. Gonzalez gives you, and you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.
To see if you’re a candidate for reconstructive surgery, make an appointment at Ankle and Foot Center of Florida today by calling or clicking the online booking tool.
