Ganglion cysts are masses of tissue that contain a gelatinous substance and appear like a knot below the surface of the skin. They are the most common form of non-cancerous soft tissue mass and occur frequently on the wrists and top of the feet. In some cases, ganglion cysts go away on their own, but in other instances, surgery is required. Because cysts can reoccur after surgery, revision surgery is sometimes necessary. If your foot specialist in Sugar Land recommends revision surgery, here are some questions to ask.

Why did my cyst return?

Recurrence is the most common complication of ganglion cyst surgery. Although surgery is the most effective form of treatment for persistent cysts, it is still possible that the cyst will return for a number of different reasons. In some cases, inflammation may have prevented the foot surgeon from completely removing the initial cyst, which allows it to return in the future. In other cases, there is no clear explanation for the return of the cyst. Surgery cures between 75-85% of cases . The remaining patients are likely to have a cyst reappear.

Is revision surgery the right choice for me?

Just because a cyst returns does not necessarily mean you need another surgery. If the cyst is small and not causing any discomfort, your foot doctor may recommend watchful waiting and monitor your cyst before recommending surgery. Aspiration may also be an alternative to revision surgery. Your foot specialist is most likely to recommend revision surgery if there is a clear reason for the recurrence of the cyst that surgery could resolve.

What should I expect from the recovery?

The recovery from your revision surgery depends on the severity of your cyst. Your foot surgeon will tell you what to expect, such as how long you will need to stay off your feet and when you can resume your normal activities. In most cases, the recovery will be similar to the recovery time of your original surgery.

More than 100 types of arthritis affect millions of Americans. The feet and ankles are particularly susceptible to developing arthritis because of the sheer weight and force they are subjected to throughout each day. Arthritis may not be curable, but it is treatable. If you suspect you might be developing arthritis in your feet and ankles, it’s important to see a podiatrist in the Sugar Land area as soon as possible. For some types of arthritis, early treatment can help delay the progression and prevent further damage.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that develops because of the wear and tear damage inflicted on the joints. Wear and tear damage has a cumulative effect, which is why osteoarthritis is more common among older adults. Each foot has more than 30 joints, but osteoarthritis is most likely to affect the joint that connects the ankle and shinbone, the joint that connects the foot bone and big toe, and the three joints that involve the outer and inner mid-foot bones, and heel bone. The symptoms of osteoarthritis develop gradually and generally include tenderness, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint. Patients may experience reduced mobility because of the difficulty in placing weight on the affected foot.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

If you have previously sustained an injury to a foot or ankle, you may be at risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis. If so, you’ll likely notice that you’ve begun to suffer from a decreased tolerance of daily activities that require placing weight on the foot. These include climbing stairs and playing sports. The affected joint can become painful and swollen, and it may have fluid accumulation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It triggers the immune system to overreact and attack the protective synovium of the foot and ankle joints. Eventually, the bone, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons can sustain damage. Rheumatoid arthritis of the feet and ankles is best recognized by the pain, stiffness, and swelling it causes. The affected joint may feel warm to the touch and you may experience difficulty walking. Eventually, you may develop corns, bunions, hammertoe, or flat foot, and you may experience systemic health problems like fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

One common condition that foot specialists near Sugar Land can treat is plantar warts. Plantar warts are skin growths that are caused by viral infections. They can be painful when they grow on the weight-bearing areas of the feet and they can often recur despite podiatric treatment. That’s why podiatrists recommend taking steps to reduce the risk of contracting the viral infection.

Plantar warts can easily spread from place to place, both on the same person and from person to person. Avoid walking around barefoot to reduce your risk of contracting this viral infection. You can wear flip-flops while using shower facilities in locker rooms or hospitals. Never touch a plantar wart on yourself or someone else; instead, see a podiatrist promptly. Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible. If you tend to sweat from the feet excessively, you may wish to change your socks several times during the day, especially in hot weather.

If you’re anticipating an upcoming visit to a podiatrist in Sugar Land , you may be concerned about the potential for smelly feet when you remove your shoes and socks. But there’s no need to feel awkward; podiatrists understand that all feet tend to emit unpleasant odors. You’ll learn the reason for that when you watch this featured video.

It explains that each human foot has over 250,000 sweat glands. As the foot sweats, the bacteria on the skin eat the sweat and produce waste as a byproduct. The foot odor is caused by bacterial byproducts. Feet tend to stink worse than other sweaty areas of the body because they are usually encased by socks and shoes, which allow the odoriferous byproducts to become highly concentrated.