Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Elective Surgeries
Everyone is different when dealing with pain or managing an injury but when it comes to putting off treatment for a foot or ankle condition, there comes a time when you can’t delay it any longer. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many opted for virtual appointments over in-person visits to avoid the risk of exposure, but as safety precautions are put in place to keep patients and staff safe, surgeries should be rescheduled to avoid further complications.
Elective surgeries may not seem like something that needs to be done but if left untreated, these conditions can worsen necessitating more surgical correction in the future and create additional problems which increase the risk of worsening the original issue. If you have pain or discomfort in one foot or ankle, you may favor that injury with a slight limp to protect that pedal extremity. This change in your gait can create more strain and pressure on the opposite foot, even affecting the knee, hip and lower back.
Many foot and ankle conditions begin small and seem minor at first but if left untreated, they can grow into a much larger issue or affect more than your foot and ankle. Most issues can be treated conservatively but if ignored too long, it may require more complicated treatment. Here are some common conditions that can create other issues if left untreated:
• Foot deformities such as flat foot, can cause strains on tendons and ligaments or joint arthritis.
• Pes Cavus, or high-arched foot, can cause calluses or foot ulcers because of more pressure on the weightbearing parts of the foot.
• Bunions left untreated can encroach onto the second toe, creating a crossover toe which can lead to a ligament tear.
• Hammertoes can progress quickly and cause a painful blister, callus or even an ulcer if left untreated. They can also progress to a rigid (or inflexible) deformity which can only be addressed surgically if not addressed early on.
Don’t wait to see a foot or ankle surgeon if you notice any changes in your feet and ankles; even a “small” injury should be examined. You don’t know how bad it is until you have an x-ray or have it examined by a foot and ankle specialist. If you’re experiencing pain or notice a change in the way you’re walking, make an appointment with my office as soon as possible.
Dr. Ruth Ann Cooper
Regenerative Medicine is using medical procedures that promote self-healing. Swift treatment for warts was approved by the FDA in late 2018. The procedure was developed in Scotland and has been used in the United Kingdom for several years. I have been using the Swift treatment for warts for several months. What is Swift and how does it work? Swift microwave is designed to promote your local immune response and allow your body to heal itself. Swift treatment results in a degree of localized tissue stress promoting a healing response, recruiting antibodies and stimulating a heat shock production. Swift treatment of warts has shown positive results for my patients. I have seen as many as twenty-three warts resolve as a result of the Swift treatment. No medication, no bandages and non-invasive. You can find out more on the Plantar Wart Therapy page on my website.
Dr. Ruth Ann Cooper
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