Other Conditions Treated
All foot and ankle surgery is expertly carried out utilising modern procedures.
Tailors Bunion (Bunionette)
Is a condition where by the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe protrudes. It is similar to a bunion (the same type of ailment affecting the big toe). It is called Tailor's Bunion because in past centuries, tailors sat cross-legged, and this was thought to cause this protrusion on the outside aspect of the foot. It is usually characterized by inflammation, pain and redness of the little toe joint. Please see Bunions (Hallux abducto valgus) for more information.
Midfoot Arthritis Conditions
Trauma and arthritis can occur in the midfoot leading to marked pain and deformity. If conservative care fails then surgical correction can be carried out. In early stages before instability and deformity occurs simple "tidy up" procedures can be carried out. In more severe cases joint realignment and fusion may be necessary.
Fracture Fixation
Following trauma bone fixation may be required and this will again be carried out utilising the various small internal fixation devices available now.
Diabetic Foot Conditions
Due to the escalating percentage of people suffering with diabetes and the fact that diabetes can lead to various foot problems podiatric surgeons are trained to address ulceration and prevent amputations.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Medical imaging such as ultrasound and MRI are utilised to diagnose achilles problems. Once diagnosed multiple treatment modalities are available including tendon damage debridement and in ruptures reattachment can be carried out.
Soft Tissue Lesion Removal
Soft tissue tumors may often be overlooked or mistaken as “simple lesions.” For example, ganglion cysts occur so frequently in the foot and ankle that it has often led to the careless assumption that every asymptomatic, soft, movable mass represents a benign lesion. Unfortunately, this lackadaisical confidence can lead to misdiagnosis and disaster in certain situations.
Although rare, some “simple lesions” may actually represent a malignant process that goes undiagnosed until skeletal metastasis occurs or amputation is required. This tragedy could potentially lead to malpractice litigation for negligent care.
Wart Removal
Warts or verrucae pedis are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Caustics or freezing can be attempted to remove these lesions, however if this proves unsuccessful then a simple minor procedure can be carried out known as "curettage". This is done under local anaesthetic in a minor ops room. Please see treatment for Warts, plantar warts or verrucae pedis for more information.
Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis / Osis
This very common condition involving inflammation, bony spurring and eventual degeneration on the bottom of the heel in most cases can be dealt with via orthotics, physical therapies and in some situations corticosteroid injections. In the recalcitrant no responding situations surgical excision of the damaged tissue and bony spur can be carried out with good long term results .
Flat Feet
Depending on the degree and type of flat foot, if orthotics and other non-surgical treatment modalities have been unsuccessful and marked pain persists then surgical intervention can be considered.
