Summer may be the perfect time for cosmetic foot surgery, and for good reason. Cosmetic foot surgery helps people improve their balance and mobility. At the same time, cosmetic foot surgery helps people improve the aesthetic appeal of the feet – something that makes the treatment a great option for those who wear flip-flops and sandals throughout summertime.
Cosmetic Foot Surgery: Here’s What You Need to Know
Although many people associate cosmetic surgery with the nose, eyes or stomach, cosmetic foot surgery allows patients to quickly enhance foot function and aesthetic appeal. The surgery simultaneously alters the foot’s appearance and treats foot issues. Plus, it often helps people treat impending structural issues and arthritic joints in the toes and feet.
There are several types of cosmetic foot surgeries, too. These include:
- Toe Shortening: Some people have a long second or third toe that makes it tough to wear shoes. Or, a long toe may cause calluses or toe joint dislocation. With toe shortening, a patient can address these issues without delay. Toe shortening is a fast, effective and safe procedure, and it requires little to no downtime.
- Bunions: Bunions are bony bumps that develop at the joint of the base of the big toe. They are some of the most common foot problems for people and may make it tough to walk or find comfortable footwear. Fortunately, a bunionectomy can be used to treat bunions. It is a form of cosmetic foot surgery that involves the removal of a bunion, along with realignment of the big toe.
- Hammertoes: Hammertoes cause toes to curl incorrectly. They can affect a person’s balance and may cause severe foot pain. Cosmetic foot surgery is available to treat hammertoes. This procedure relaxes the tissue in the foot and helps a patient put his or her toes back into the proper positions. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, and patients can walk in a protective boot the same day as treatment.
- Bone Spurs: Bone spurs may develop along the edges of bone or cartilage in the foot. They create pressure that causes foot pain, as well as corns, blisters and calluses. Thanks to cosmetic foot surgery, a podiatrist can remove bone or cartilage that cause bone spurs in the foot.
Clearly, there are many reasons to consider cosmetic foot surgery. If an individual weighs the pros and cons of cosmetic foot surgery, he or she can make an informed treatment decision.
What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
There are both functional and aesthetic benefits associated with cosmetic foot surgery. The primary benefits of cosmetic foot surgery include:
- Reduced Foot Pain: Cosmetic foot surgery helps patients alleviate pain caused by bone spurs, hammertoes, bunions and other foot disorders.
- Increased Self-Confidence: Cosmetic foot surgery helps patients improve the overall appearance of the feet. Therefore, patients won’t have to worry about how their feet will look in flip-flops or sandals after treatment.
- Improved Balance: Cosmetic foot surgery enables patients to shorten or lengthen the toes. As a result, the surgery can help patients improve their balance.
- Enhanced Comfort: Cosmetic foot surgery can be used to treat hammertoes – foot issues that make it virtually impossible to wear shoes comfortably.
- Cost Savings: Cosmetic foot surgery involves a one-time charge for treatment, and it may eliminate the need to purchase expensive shoe inserts and pads.
Like any surgery, there are risks associated with cosmetic foot treatments as well. The foot is intricate and complex, and as such, cosmetic foot surgery should be performed by an expert podiatrist. With support from an expert podiatrist, a patient can minimize risk and achieve the optimal treatment results.
Are You a Candidate for Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
Cosmetic foot surgery is not right for everyone, and a podiatrist requests a patient consultation before treatment. This consultation allows a podiatrist to learn about a patient’s foot problems and determine if surgery can help this individual achieve his or her desired results.
A podiatrist requests a patient’s medical history as part of the patient evaluation process. Also, he or she may require various tests to properly diagnose a patient’s foot problems.
In some instances, existing medical conditions or medications may complicate cosmetic foot surgery and recovery. However, if a podiatrist determines a patient is a good candidate for cosmetic foot surgery, he or she next outlines all aspects of the treatment. That way, a patient can establish realistic cosmetic foot surgery expectations.
What to Expect During a Cosmetic Foot Procedure
The length of time required to perform cosmetic foot surgery varies based on the patient and his or her foot disorder. A podiatrist can usually offer an estimate of how long the procedure will take. He or she also provides instructions to help a patient prepare for treatment.
Additionally, the recovery time following a cosmetic foot procedure depends on the patient and his or her treatment area. Total recovery may require several weeks, and a patient may need to limit his or her activity during this period. A podiatrist will provide aftercare instructions for cosmetic food surgery, as well as request follow-up appointments to ensure a patient’s recovery stays on track.
If a patient has questions at any point during cosmetic foot surgery recovery, a podiatrist is happy to respond to them. A podiatrist strives to provide as much assistance as possible throughout the cosmetic foot surgery recovery period. By doing so, a podiatrist helps a patient enjoy safe, effective treatment results.
Select La Peer Health Systems for Cosmetic Foot Surgery
When it comes to cosmetic foot surgery, it is beneficial to have an expert podiatrist perform this procedure. At La Peer Health Systems, our podiatry department includes highly-trained doctors, nurses and support staff who do everything possible to provide exceptional patient care. Our podiatry team understands that foot disorders can affect the quality of a person’s life and wants to do whatever it can to help patients correct these problems as quickly as possible. Best of all, our podiatry department offers custom treatment plans that are tailored to a patient’s cosmetic foot surgery needs. Each cosmetic foot surgery treatment plan is designed to help a patient achieve the best-possible results – without exception.
For those who are considering summertime cosmetic foot surgery, our podiatry department is ready to respond to your concerns and questions. To schedule a cosmetic foot surgery consultation, please contact us today at 855-360-9119.
