Complex Foot & Ankle Trauma Surgery

Our feet and ankles work together to provide support, mobility and balance for daily movement and physical activity. However, we may experience trauma from sports, exercise or accidents throughout life. Trauma refers to injuries sustained from movement or damage and is quite common in athletes but can occur in your daily life too.

What are common foot and ankle injuries?

If you have an active lifestyle, it's essential to know the common injuries that can occur due to over-exertion, lack of stretching, improper gear, etc.

These include:

• Ankle sprains
• Ankle fractures
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Heel fractures
• Lisfranc injuries

When is trauma surgery needed?

In many cases, physiotherapy and other non-invasive treatments can help in foot and ankle trauma recovery. It is usually in more complex and severe cases that surgery is necessary, such as when reconstructions and bone grafts are needed.

Dr Alexander thoroughly evaluates your condition and medical history before recommending treatment. Should you require surgery, Dr Alexander will schedule an outpatient appointment at one of his doctor's suites.

What does complex trauma surgery include?

Your surgical procedure will depend on the injury sustained and its severity. Dr Alexander performs various procedures to help treat damage to the bone and soft tissues in the foot and ankle.

Depending on your case, your surgery may include:

• Bone removal
• Bone fusion
• Bone grafts
• Tendon transfers
• Soft tissue reconstruction

Recovering from complex trauma surgery

As complex as surgery is, recovery is equally challenging. This is because the risk of misalignment and non-union is high, so it's essential to follow Dr Alexander's recovery guide and avoid unnecessary movement until you can fully move and function. In addition to regular check-ins and X-rays, you may receive physiotherapy and other mobility treatments to aid recovery.