If you’re experiencing heel or foot pain in Sugar Land , then your podiatrist may inform you that you’re suffering from Achilles tendinitis or tendinosis. Patients who have either of these 2 conditions typically suffer from soreness, stiffness, pain, aching, or tenderness in the tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. Achilles tendinitis refers to short-term inflammation in the tendon, while Achilles tendinosis can involve tears in and degeneration of the tendon.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an Achilles tendon problem, then the treatment recommended by your podiatrist can depend on how long you’ve experienced symptoms and the severity of your condition. Some common treatments for a painful Achilles tendon include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to address the pain, ice to reduce inflammation and swelling, immobilization to promote healing, physical therapy for strengthening, and the use of foot orthotics to relieve stress from the tendon. When non-invasive treatments fail to provide a patient with relief, then they may be referred to a foot surgeon for surgery.

If you undergo foot surgery, you will receive anesthesia for your comfort and manage your pain. The type of anesthesia you receive depends on the type of surgery you are having, your health, and your preferences. Your foot surgeon in Sugar Land will explain your options to you so you know what to expect. Here is a look at some of the different types of anesthesia used during foot and ankle surgery.

Local and Regional Anesthesia

Local and regional anesthesia are similar to what you receive at the dentist. You receive a series of injections that prevent nerve impulses from being conducted, thus blocking any pain you may feel. A local anesthetic is used to numb a small area, like a toe, while a regional blocks pain in a large area, such as your leg. With both these forms of anesthesia, you remain completely awake, so you can respond to questions and instructions from your foot doctor. Some of the benefits of these types of anesthesia is that there is no increased risk of heart attack or stroke as there is with general anesthesia. They are also the most affordable forms of anesthesia.

Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation involves the use of a mild sedative, delivered via an IV by your foot surgeon. You will not fall asleep with this kind of sedation, but you will feel extremely relaxed. Because this kind of anesthesia does not block pain, it is often combined with a local or regional option. Conscious sedation is not ideal for long procedures and can cause nausea and headaches in some patients. If you are nervous about your procedure, your podiatrist may recommend conscious sedation.

General Anesthesia

When you have general anesthesia, you will be put in a deep state of sleep throughout your operation, so you don’t experience any kind of pain. You also will not have knowledge of the surgery. General anesthesia comes with a risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung infection, which is greater in smokers and people who are overweight. Your surgeon will help you determine if this is the best fit for your operation.

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.

Foot pain can range from a mild annoyance to severe, debilitating pain that interferes with your everyday activities. If you experience foot pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. Conditions that cause foot pain can get progressively worse, so seeing a foot specialist in Houston in the early stages of your symptoms could prevent them from intensifying. Many different conditions can cause foot pain. Here is a closer look at some of the most common causes diagnosed by foot doctors.

Arthritis

Many different types of arthritis, from gout to rheumatoid arthritis, can cause foot pain. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of the disease, occurs when wear and tear damages the joints. Because the feet carry all of your weight, they are extremely vulnerable to this kind of arthritis. Your foot doctor will determine which type of arthritis is affecting your feet by considering your symptoms, using diagnostic imaging tests, and ordering blood work. Once the cause is diagnosed, your foot specialist can begin the appropriate treatment.

Bunions

A bunion is a lump that grows at the joint at the bottom of your big toe. Over time, the bunion can cause your big toe to bend against the neighboring toe, and as it grows bigger, it can become tender and red. When left untreated, bunions can become quite painful and make it difficult to find shoes that fit over the protrusion. In early stages, conservative treatment, including medications and shoe inserts, can alleviate bunion pain. When this doesn’t work, bunion surgery may be necessary.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes can lead to damage to the nerve fibers, particularly in the extremities. Although neuropathy can happen to anyone with diabetes, it is much more common in people with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. Neuropathy can lead to disabling pain and numbness in the feet. Because of the numbness, people with neuropathy can injure their feet without realizing it, which can allow a dangerous infection to occur that could lead to amputation. People with diabetes should examine their feet daily and see a foot doctor regularly.

Arthritis is a chronic disorder that can affect any joint in the body, including feet and ankles. The majority of people who are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis will develop foot and ankle problems during the course of the disease. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you should visit a podiatrist or foot and ankle specialist near Sugar Land for treatment that may slow the progression of the disease.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the foot or ankle are pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness of the joint. These symptoms typically occur in both feet at once and affect the same joints in each foot. Early indications of arthritis in the ankle include increased difficulty walking up ramps and stairs. As the disease progresses, walking and standing can also become painful and difficult. Early indications of arthritis in the foot include difficulty walking on uneven ground, flat feet, bone spurs, and bunions.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis has no cure, but a foot and ankle specialist or podiatrist near you can provide a variety of treatment options that may ease your symptoms. These treatments may include medication, rest, physical therapy, orthotics, and steroid injections. You will typically have a treatment team of foot and ankle specialists that consists of a rheumatologist, physical and occupational therapist, an orthopedic surgeon, and a rehabilitation specialist.

Surgical Treatment

Your foot and ankle specialist will recommend foot surgery if non-surgical options have proven unsuccessful, or if you have extensive cartilage damage. Surgical treatment typically involves a surgical procedure called fusion, during which two bones that form a joint are fused together to create one bone. During the healing process, a new bone will grow between the two fused joint bones. This surgery limits joint motion, which reduces the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It is particularly effective for the ankle joint, as that tends to be the most painful joint when affected by arthritis.