ANKLE & FOOT CENTER OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Podiatry located in Tavares, FL
If you suffer a sports injury or you develop a chronic problem like rheumatoid arthritis, you might benefit from treatment with foot and ankle surgery. Podiatrist Joanne Balkaran, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and her team at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Tavares, Florida, are board-certified in fore and rear foot surgery. To learn more, request a consultation today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
Foot & Ankle Surgery Q & A
What is foot and ankle surgery?
Foot and ankle surgery is a branch of podiatry and orthopedics that deals with diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries and disorders that affect the feet and ankles.
The doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida always try and treat foot and ankle problems using conservative, integrative care. However, some problems like ankle dislocations and fractures, tendon injuries, and severe bunions require more invasive treatments.
If you’ve tried physical therapy, at-home exercises, and/or pain medications without a significant improvement in your symptoms, foot and ankle surgery might be necessary.
What is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon?
Board-certification is an intensive process that leads to official certification by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
To achieve board-certification in foot and ankle surgery, the doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida completed four years of postdoctoral clinical experience as well as an approved residency. They’ve also completed hundreds of hours of hands-on surgical experience to treat problems affecting the feet and ankles.
Are there different types of foot and ankle surgery?
The doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida offer several kinds of foot and ankle surgery, including:
- Surgery for ankle injuries
- Surgery to remove bunions
- Flat foot reconstruction surgery
- Surgery for tendon injuries
The doctors also combine regenerative medicine treatments like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to encourage your body’s natural healing process.
How do I know if I need foot and ankle surgery?
Only an experienced, board-certified surgeon like those at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida, can determine if you need foot and ankle surgery.
That said, if you’ve fractured your foot, suffered a severe ankle sprain, or have a large bunion that isn’t responding to conservative treatment, you’re probably a good candidate for surgery.
Following a foot exam, a review of your medical history, and a discussion of your goals for treatment, your doctor can make treatment recommendations that fit your individual needs.
What is recovery from foot and ankle surgery like?
After foot and ankle surgery, you’re sent home with recovery instructions. Your doctor writes you a prescription for painkillers and antibiotics. Make sure to take the medications your doctor prescribed.
You should also change your surgical wound dressings regularly and avoid strenuous activity. You should attend all of your follow-up appointments.
To learn more about treatment with foot and ankle surgery, make an appointment at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.