Hindfoot Arthritis Surgery may be considered when arthritis affecting the joints below the ankle causes persistent pain, stiffness and difficulty walking despite appropriate non-surgical treatment.
Mr Edward Dawe is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising exclusively in foot and ankle surgery. He treats patients with painful Hindfoot Arthritis in Sussex, including those who may be suitable for Keyhole Surgery, minimally invasive fusion, deformity correction or open reconstruction where appropriate.
Surgery may be considered when Hindfoot Arthritis continues to cause significant pain, stiffness, difficulty walking on uneven ground or limitation with day-to-day activity despite non-surgical treatment such as footwear modification, bracing, physiotherapy, pain relief or injection treatment.
The most appropriate operation depends on which joint or joints are affected, the severity of arthritis, the alignment of the foot and whether deformity is also contributing to symptoms.
Surgical options may include:
The choice of surgery is based on the pattern of arthritis, the condition of the joints, the overall shape of the foot and the goals of treatment.
Fusion is a common treatment for painful Hindfoot Arthritis. The aim is to stop painful movement at the affected joint while improving stability and function.
Fusion usually only involves stiffening a small number of joints in the foot. This means that a large amount of overall foot movement is preserved, even though the painful arthritic joint itself no longer moves.
Depending on the problem, fusion may involve the subtalar joint alone or selected combinations of hindfoot joints. Planning depends on which joints are painful and whether deformity correction is also needed.
In selected patients, symptoms may be caused by localised bony impingement rather than more widespread arthritis throughout the joint. In these cases, Cheilectomy or bone resection procedures may be considered to remove prominent bone and improve movement.
This is most suitable when the pain is related to localised impingement and the joint is otherwise reasonably preserved. Assessment and imaging help determine whether this is an appropriate option.
Some patients with Hindfoot Arthritis also have deformity contributing to pain and overload. This may include a High-Arched Foot or a Flat Foot, where abnormal alignment places excessive stress on the hindfoot joints.
In these cases, surgery may include deformity correction as well as treatment of the arthritic joint. This can involve osteotomy, tendon procedures, ligament reconstruction or fusion, depending on the nature of the problem.
Where appropriate, Hindfoot Arthritis Surgery may be performed using arthroscopic or minimally invasive techniques. This can include Keyhole Surgery, minimally invasive fusion and arthroscopic procedures for selected hindfoot problems.
Compared with traditional open techniques, these approaches may involve less soft tissue disruption and in selected cases may allow an easier recovery. However, not every problem is suitable for Keyhole Surgery, and open surgery remains the best option in some situations.
Recovery depends on the procedure performed. Smaller impingement procedures may recover more quickly, whereas fusion and deformity correction usually involve a longer period of protection and rehabilitation.
Recovery advice depends on bone healing, the joints treated and whether osteotomy, fusion or soft tissue reconstruction has been performed. This is discussed before surgery as part of treatment planning.
No. Fusion usually only involves stiffening a small number of joints in the foot. This means a large amount of movement and overall function is often preserved while painful joint movement is treated.
Keyhole or minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions and may involve arthroscopic or minimally invasive techniques. Open surgery uses larger exposures and may still be the better option depending on the problem being treated.
Yes. In selected cases, Hindfoot Arthritis Surgery may include deformity correction where a Flat Foot or High-Arched Foot is contributing to pain, overload or progressive joint damage.
Cheilectomy is a procedure used to remove prominent bone causing impingement. It may be considered in selected patients where symptoms are caused by localised bony conflict rather than advanced arthritis throughout the joint.
Yes. In selected cases, minimally invasive fusion or arthroscopic techniques may be used. Whether this is appropriate depends on the joint involved, the deformity and the wider condition of the foot.
Open surgery may still be the best option when deformity is more severe, when more extensive correction is required, or when the problem cannot be treated reliably through minimally invasive techniques.
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Nuffield Haywards Heath Private secretary: Nicole Murray Tel: 07856 521034 [email protected] |
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