Deciding on surgery for foot pain or difficulty walking can be challenging. Persistent pain may lead to considering foot surgery, but foot care often involves multiple interventions, including postoperative treatments such as foot orthotics.
Understanding the role of foot orthotics after foot surgery helps manage recovery and prevent further complications.
Before considering foot surgery
Foot surgery, even minor, should not be taken lightly due to the important convalescence needed to regain mobility. Consulting a podiatrist is essential. They analyze symptoms and prescribe the best treatment after conducting examinations, which may include:
- 2D or 3D digital foot scans
- Biomechanical exam
- Postural evaluation with CryoVizion
- Foot ultrasound imaging
- Digital radiography
Often, a foot pathology can be corrected conservatively with orthotics. However, if a forefoot deformity causes pain, surgery may be recommended.
What are the conditions that require foot orthotics to be worn?
Foot orthotics help treat deformities without disrupting daily life. Conditions treated include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel or calcaneal spurs
- Hammer toe
- Metatarsalgia
- Cavus foot
- Flat feet
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bunions (hallux valgus)
- Capsulitis or bursitis
- Incorrect posture
- Unequal lower limbs
If orthotics can help, podiatrists will prefer this approach, but surgery remains an option if pain persists.
Why are foot orthotics suggested following surgery?
Not all foot surgeries require postoperative orthotics. However, biomechanical deformities of the forefoot may develop after surgery, requiring new foot orthotics to correct foot movement and stabilize lower limbs if only one foot has been operated on. This helps prevent secondary deformities on the healthy foot.
What are the alternatives to orthotics?
Before surgery, your podiatrist may recommend temporary treatments alongside or instead of orthotics:
- Wearing a brace
- Immobilizing the foot with an orthopedic boot
- Using cushioned shoe soles to reduce shock
- Applying therapeutic tape
- Cortisone injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Laser therapy
- Shockwave therapy
For severe deformities, multiple treatments are often used together.
PiedRéseau: for comprehensive post-operative care
PiedRéseau clinics offer pre- and post-operative intervention plans, including foot orthotics and surgeries such as bone surgeries or minor surgeries, ensuring thorough foot care management and recovery.