Foot surgery

The orthopedics and traumatology department of Friedrichshafen Center in Germany offers a wide range of surgeries for foot pathologies. The major types of joint therapy are considered below. Head of the Department is Professor DM Eugene Winter, an experienced surgeon, whose main field of expertise are traumatology and endoprosthetics. Every year the department of orthopedics witnesses about 1 500 patients from different parts of the world.

Prominent heel surgery

Prominent heel causes severe pains in a foot, especially in heel area. Our clinic in Germany performs endoscopic surgery or a surgery under X-ray control for prominent heep treatment.

The endoscopic method implies:

• Defining the location of prominent heel under X-ray and making two 5mm incisions: one for endoscope and one for surgical instruments;
• Dissecting the plantar fascia away from the heel bone to relieve the tension and pain.

Foot surgery under X-ray control in Germany

This procedure is performed via one 3mm incision to incise the plantar fascia. All surgeon's actions are controlled on the screen of X-ray apparatus.

It is highly recommended not to load the foot during first few weeks after surgery for faster wound healing. Specific instep-raisers will support the foot arch. The full recovery takes 2-3 months.

Foot surgery in Hallux rigidus

Hallux rigidus is a destruction of cartilages in metatarsophalangeal articulation of a big toe. There are two variants of surgery for such cases:

• Removing bone deposits
• Arthrodesis of metatarsophalangeal joint (more preferable for young, physically active people).

Metatarsophalangeal articulation

During the surgery the damaged cartilage is completely removed, and the doctor fixates the joint bone tissue with screws or bone plate.

Also it is possible to perform arthrodesis between foot and instep bone. This method is prescribed in case of big deviation or joint instability. Soft tissues are dissected on the foot. After sparing resection of metatarsal bone head and toe bone basis a surgeon fixes the location of fragments. The joint is fixated in stationary position by screws or a plate.

After the surgery the foot must stay in elevated position for better lymph drainage. Arthrodesis implies full adhesion of joint bones. Any loads on joint are forbidden during 2 months after the surgery, and the patient must wear special orthesis.

Valgus correction in Germany

Our clinic in Germany offer a few surgical methods for this foot pathology:

• Innovative foot surgery implies minimally invasive valgus correction on the great toe. It helps to align great toe bones by mini cutters and widen the joint capsule. The joint structures stay undamaged that provides faster recovery.
• Chevron Osteotomie is indicated for minor joint deflection. This foot surgery implies resection of the outstanding callus, fixating metatarsal bone head with sesamoid bone basis, and fixating the toe bone by self-tapping screw or titanium wire.
• Scarf-Osteotomie is indicated in advanced cases of Hallux valgus. This foot surgery implies resection of the outstanding callus, relocating metatarsal bone head outward and fixing the deformed joint capsule. The result on foot is fixated by titanium screws that can be further removed.

Ankle joint endoprosthesis replacement in Germany

It is indicated in major destruction of articular surfaces and pathologies that have no conservative treatment.

During such foot surgery the ankle and tibial joint articular surfaces are replaced by a modern, highly functional prosthesis. The result is normalized gait, improved foot mobility and relieved pains.

After this foot surgery a patient is checked out on the 5th day, the stitches are taken out on the 12th day, and the entire recovery takes 6 weeks.

Morton's neuroma resection in Germany

Morton's neuroma is an inflammatory disease of nervous structure on the front foot surface.

This foot surgery requires local or general anesthesia. A small incision between two affected toes is made to cut out the neuroma. This foot surgery takes about an hour, the stitches are taken out on 8th-10th day after the surgery. The patient can turn back to his normal activities in a week after the surgery.

Many foot problems can be treated non-surgically and we do our best to avoid surgical treatment. However it is not always possible to postpone an operation. In any case, our specialist will provide timely aid and advise you on different treatment methods. We cooperate with our patients.