What kind of surgeries do orthopaedic surgeons perform?
Internal fixation of bones with plates and nails
Joint replacements (knee, hip, elbow, shoulder)
Revision joint Surgeries
Bone tumour excision and joint reconstructions
Arthroscopic knee, shoulder surgeries for sports injuries
Soft tissue repairs
Correction of congenital deformities and osteotomies
Spine surgeries (decompression and fusion)
How is joint Replacement done?
In Arthritis, the damaged cartilage and bone from the joint are replaced with a prosthesis made of metal, polyethylene, ceramic, etc to regain normal joint biomechanics.
What is the total recovery time for knee replacement?
Most patients resume their daily activities by 6 weeks, complete recovery occurs between 3-4 months.
Who is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a qualified doctor who is an expert in evaluating and managing foot and leg problems medically or surgically.
When should I see a Podiatrist?
Consult a Podiatrist if you are suffering from foot ulcers or pain, redness, swelling over foot or legs, numbness or pinprick or burning sensation of feet, unsteady gait, ankle sprain, corn/callus, bunions, high arched or flat foot or foot deformities, heel pain, fungal nails, Achilles pain, dry cracked heels/sole, athlete’s foot, varicose veins, dark discoloration of skin/toes, infection of toe web- spaces, unusual pain or swelling over the calf etc. A podiatrist would do the relevant clinical examination and manage your foot/leg problems.
Are diabetic patients at high risk for foot complications?
Yes, diabetic patients compared to no-diabetics are more prone to foot complications and may present with any of the complaints mentioned in question 2.
What are the most common foot problems among diabetic patients?
Prolonged or uncontrolled diabetes would affect nerves and blood circulation to the feet. If the nerves are affected, patients will have symptoms such as pinprick sensation, burning feet, numbness, unsteady gait, lack of heat/cold sensations, etc. Whereas, lack of blood circulation to the feet will manifest as dark discoloration (gangrene) of toes, calf pain (claudication pain) while walking for a short distance.
What are the reasons for heel pain?
Heel pain can originate within the foot, directly on the heel bone or within foot’s connective tissue/fascia. Heel pad of fat acts like a shock absorber during running and walking. You can experience pain if the tissue becomes irritated or inflamed or when spurs grow on the heel bone-calcaneus, which may require surgical or medical removal. Apart from diabetes, patients with Gout, Arthritis, Collagen disorder, tumors, nerve injuries, and Psoriasis may also present with heel pain.
Can an ingrown nail be cured?
If the nail is not infected, your podiatrist may trim the corner of it to relieve pain. It may be required to remove one side of your nail back to the cuticle. The base of the nail is then treated with a chemical to avoid the ingrown part from growing back. In case of severe infections, you may be prescribed with antibiotics, temporary or permanent removal of a portion of a nail.
Why does corn or callus develop more commonly in diabetic patients?
It is necessary to wear the right footwear, maintain a correct gait and weight. There are 33 joints in our foot and our entire body weight is supported by them. Ideally, no area of the foot should take extra weight. If there is an uneven distribution of weight and an uneven displacement of pressure on our feet, then there is a possibility of corns, calluses, ingrown nails, knee pain, and back pain. Therefore, Podiatrists will assess the peak plantar pressure points and prescribe custom made footwear.
