Foot & ankle surgery

Our feet and ankles help us to balance, stand and move as we go about our normal everyday activities. If your foot or ankle is causing you problems, you might find that simply walking around is enough to cause you pain. You may no longer be able to compete in your favourite sport at the level you’re used to, if at all. Perhaps you’re being woken at night by sharp, constant pain in your ankle.

Any problem with the foot or ankle has the potential to significantly limit your activity and impact your quality of life.

At The Park Hospital, we can provide you with fast access to an experienced Foot and Ankle Consultant for assessment and treatment without delay. With their expert help and guidance, you’ll soon be back to enjoying the activities you most love.

Combined, your two feet comprise one quarter of the total number of bones in your body. Given the numerous ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues contained in them, it is no surprise they can be prone to injury or damage. Combined, your two feet comprise one quarter of the total number of bones in your body. Given the numerous ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues contained in them, it is no surprise they can be prone to injury or damage. 

If your foot or ankle has been affected by injury or disease, it can make standing, walking and moving painful and more tiring. You might find it more challenging to walk up and down stairs, while for more severe problems, you may struggle to safely weight-bear, only able to move about with great difficulty or by using a walking aid like crutches. 

Foot and ankle conditions are often categorized by where they occur: 

• toe,  
• forefoot,  
• midfoot,  
• hindfoot, 
  ankle.   

Some of the problems in each of these areas commonly seen by our Consultants include: 

Toe & forefoot:  

• Toe deformities, 
• Big toe pain – normally caused by arthritis, 
• Forefoot pain, 
• Bunions (Hallux Valgus) – formation of a bony lump on the side of the feet.  
• Bursitis – inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion to a joint (this sac is known as a bursa).  
• Morton’s Neuroma – caused by irritation or damage to a nerve in your foot.  

Midfoot & hindfoot: 

• Midfoot pain, 
• Plantar fasciitis – causes pain in your heel or the bottom of your foot. 
• Heel pain, 
• Achilles tendonitis – pain along the back of the heel, caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon, 
• Flat feet (“fallen arches”)

Ankle:

• Pain in the ankle, 
• Ankle sprain,  
• Stiffness in the ankle – may follow an injury or gradually get worse over a longer period of time. 
• Achilles Pain  

The foot and ankle are also prone to developing arthritis. The most common type of arthritis in the UK is osteoarthritis, which causes the smooth joint surfaces to wear down. This generates friction in the joint as the bone surfaces rub against one another, leading to stiffness and pain in the joint. As the arthritis progresses, symptoms tend to get worse. With advanced osteoarthritis, the ankle may barely be able to move and the pain can be extremely severe. 

With the presence of so many bones in the foot, osteoarthritis has the potential to cause significant problems with both mobility and function. Arthritis in the big toe joint (known as Hallux Rigidus) is a particularly common problem.  

Whether you’ve been struggling with pain in your ankle for a number of months or have recently injured your foot, it is sensible to seek medical assessment and advice to make sure you heal and recover properly. Our Foot and Ankle Consultants treat all foot and ankle conditions, and they can help get you back to better health again.  

When you first meet your Consultant, they’ll discuss your medical history and talk with you about your symptoms. They will ask you questions such as:

• When did your symptoms begin?
• Was there an obvious cause (for example, did you twist your ankle while stepping off a kerb)?
• Do you have any pain? If so, where is it?
• Is your pain dull or sharp? Intermittent or constant? Only in one specific place or spread more widely?
• Have you tried any treatments already? If so, have they helped?
• Are there any activities that make your symptoms worse?

They will carry out a clinical examination of your foot and ankle to assess the amount of movement, stability and flexibility you currently have in them.

Depending on your medical history and the clinical examination, further tests may be needed in order to confirm a diagnosis or to determine the extent of an injury or disease. Our on-site imaging facilities include X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so we can easily arrange these for you if required.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, your Consultant will talk with you through suitable treatment options.

Many foot and ankle conditions can be effectively managed and treated without surgery. Other conditions may need an operation to successfully relieve the symptoms and to give you better function once again.

Some common non-surgical treatments are:

• resting the foot and ankle, not weight-bearing as much (crutches may help with this)
• a cold compress applied regularly throughout the day,
• pain relief medication (analgesia),
• physiotherapy,
• bracing/splinting of the foot or ankle to limit certain movements. 

Surgery may be carried out by a type of minimally invasive keyhole surgery known as arthroscopy. Other conditions, such as a ligament rupture may require “open” surgery to successfully repair.

Any treatment will always be tailored to your specific needs in order to ensure you see the best results. Whether you require surgical or non-surgical treatment, your Consultant will discuss the treatment plan they advise and talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have. They’ll explain the benefits you should expect to see as a result of your treatment, the expected recovery time and any potential risks or complications you should be aware of.

When you choose to visit us for any type of foot and ankle treatment, you will benefit from:

• Fast Assessment: With rapid access to an experienced Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon, you’ll be able to start any treatment without delay. We can help get you out of pain and back to better mobility sooner.
  
  
• Peace of mind: In an independent survey, 98.8% of the people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family. Even with this result, we continue to look for ways we can improve the quality of care we provide even more.
  
  
• Flexible appointments: We’ll help you to schedule an appointment with your chosen Consultant at a time that is most convenient for you.
  
  
• Multidisciplinary team: Our Consultants are expertly supported by a team of healthcare professionals including nurses, physiotherapists and radiologists. Throughout your time with us, they will ensure you receive the highest level of care.
  
  
• On-site parking: With 178 car parking spaces, you won’t need to worry about where to park for your visit with us.

A problem with your foot or ankle can have a significant impact on your life. Fortunately, there are good treatments available for a wide range of foot and ankle injuries and conditions.

Your Consultant will thoroughly investigate the cause(s), diagnose the problem and explain treatment options to you. Any treatment required can then be quickly and easily arranged for you.

Whether you live in Nottingham or will be visiting us from further afield, book an appointment online today.