About Foot Surgery
Key Highlights
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Alleviates chronic foot and ankle pain, improving daily comfort.Corrects deformities (e.g., bunions, hammertoes) for better foot alignment and shoe fit.Restores mobility and function, enabling a return to active lifestyles.Addresses issues unresponsive to non-surgical treatments like orthotics or physical therapy.Utilizes advanced, often minimally invasive techniques for reduced scarring and faster healing.Performed by specialized podiatric surgeons with focused expertise in foot anatomy./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, debilitating pain that limits walking or daily activities.
- Structural deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet.
- Traumatic injuries including complex fractures or severe ligament/tendon tears.
- Degenerative conditions like advanced arthritis causing joint destruction.
- Chronic conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers, infections (osteomyelitis), or Charcot foot.
- Neurological conditions leading to foot drop or muscle imbalance.
- Failed conservative management after an adequate trial period.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including medical history, physical exam, and imaging (X-rays, MRI).
- Discussion of all medications; may need to stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised.
- Management of underlying conditions like diabetes to optimize blood sugar control.
- Pre-operative tests such as blood work, ECG, or chest X-ray as required.
- Arranging for post-surgery assistance at home for mobility and daily tasks.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before surgery if general anesthesia is planned.
- Quitting smoking to significantly improve healing and reduce complication risks.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Nerve damage leading to numbness, tingling, or chronic pain (neuropathy).
- Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT).
- Delayed wound healing or poor bone union (non-union).
- Stiffness, reduced range of motion, or persistent swelling.
- Recurrence of the original deformity or condition.
- Need for further revision surgery in some cases.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial rest with elevation of the foot to minimize swelling and pain.
- Use of a post-operative shoe, cast, or boot to protect the surgical site and aid healing.
- Strict adherence to weight-bearing instructions (non-weight-bearing or partial).
- Pain management with prescribed medications and ice application.
- Keeping the surgical dressing clean and dry; watching for signs of infection.
- Gradual reintroduction of physical activity as guided by the podiatrist.
- Attending all follow-up appointments for wound checks, suture removal, and progress assessment.
- Participating in prescribed physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and gait.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 6 weeks to 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering foot surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with podiatry departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform foot surgery. MediFyr helps you compare podiatries and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for foot surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Priya Chopra, a 42-year-old high school...
Priya Chopra, a 42-year-old high school teacher and avid runner, had been struggling with a persistent, sharp pain in her right big toe joint for over two years. The pain, diagnosed as severe hallux rigidus (arthritis), made standing for long periods in her classroom agonizing and forced her to give up running, a core part of her identity and stress relief. After exhausting conservative treatments like orthotics, anti-inflammatories, and steroid injections, her podiatrist, Dr. Evans, recommended a cheilectomy, a procedure to remove bone spurs and clean out the arthritic joint. Priya was terrified of surgery and the potential for a long recovery, fearing it would impact her ability to teach. The surgery itself was straightforward, performed under local anesthesia. The initial recovery involved two weeks of non-weight-bearing in a surgical shoe, which was challenging but manageable with help from her family. After six weeks of physical therapy, Priya gradually returned to walking and, eventually, low-impact exercise. While she may never return to marathon running, she is now pain-free, can stand all day teaching, and enjoys long walks. Emotionally, she moved from fear and a sense of loss over her active lifestyle to immense relief and gratitude for regaining her daily function and a modified, but joyful, connection to movement.
Podiatries for Foot Surgery
Explore experienced podiatries who regularly perform foot surgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 15 Years Experience
- Podiatry
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Podiatry
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore