page_title: Foot and ankle surgery
section_title: Surgical treatments
hierarchical_section_title: Foot and ankle surgery / Surgical treatments
caption_attribution_description: English: Anterior and lateral view x-ray of fractured left leg with internal fixation after surgery
context_page_description: Foot and ankle surgery is a sub-specialty of orthopedics and podiatry that deals with the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle. Orthopaedic surgeons are medically qualified, having been through four years of college, followed by 4 years of medical school to obtain an M.D. or D.O. followed by specialist training as a resident in orthopaedics, and only then do they sub-specialise in foot and ankle surgery. Training for a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon consists of four years of college, four years of podiatric medical school, 3–4 years of a surgical residency and an optional 1 year fellowship.
context_section_description: Surgery is considered to be a last option when more conservative approaches fail to alleviate symptoms. Techniques such as bunionectomies may be used to surgically remove bunions and other foot and ankle deformalities, arthrodesis (or fusion of joint spaces) for inflammatory processes, and surgical reconstruction (i.e. invasive measures of manipulating neuromusculoskeletal structures) to treat other deformalities. Orthotics, physical therapy, NSAIDs, DMARDs and a change of shoe may act as a complement to surgical intervention, and in most cases will be required for optimal recovery.
caption: Anterior and lateral view x-rays of fractured left leg with internal fixation after surgery
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