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Foot & Ankle Surgery

The foot is a complex structure, made up of 28 bones and more than 30 joints, including the tibiotalar joint (ankle), the hindfoot joints, the midfoot joints, and the great toe. For a variety of reasons, these joints can become damaged, causing significant pain and immobility. When damaged by arthritis or a traumatic injury, significant dysfunction occurs, limiting a patient's mobility.

Foot & Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis is a debilitating condition affecting the bones and joints of millions of Americans. While arthritis most commonly affects the weight-bearing joints of the body, such as the hip or the knee, joints such as the hand, foot, and ankle can develop arthritis. The orthopaedic condition causes pain and stiffness in the joints, and often grows worse when left untreated.

Foot Arthritis

Arthritis in the foot can occur in a number of joints, including the ankle (tibiotalar joint), the hindfoot (calcaneus, navicular, or cuboid joints), the midfoot where the toes connect to the midfoot, as well as on the great toe. Causes of foot arthritis include degenerative wear-and-tear in the case of osteoarthritis, autoimmune disease in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic injuries affecting the bones in the foot.

Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis of the ankle affects the joint between the tibia (shinbone), and the talus (anklebone). This joint, known as the tibiotalar joint, can develop arthritis for a number of reasons, including traumatic injuries, joint infections, and autoimmunity diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with ankle arthritis may have trouble with natural ankle flexion, and will compensate by modifying the walking pattern.

Symptoms of Foot And Ankle Arthritis

Patients suffering from foot and ankle arthritis will most frequently complain of pain. Other common symptoms include:

• Stiffness or immobility
• Joint swelling and tenderness
• Bone spurs that give the appearance of a lumpy growth
• Joint deformity
• Instability, or a feeling that the joint will 'give out'

Hand

The hand is a complex structure comprised of a network of bones, joints, and ligaments that work together to provide dexterity and tact to the upper extremities. Because of the delicate nature of many orthopaedic hand conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, microfractures affecting the hand, wrist or forearm, or trigger finger, patients should consider a qualified hand surgeon trained to diagnose and treat problems related to hand surgery sheet the upper extremities.

Hand Surgery

Hand surgeons treat a variety of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the hands, wrists, and upper extremities, including, but not limited to: carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, fractures, sports injuries, trigger finger and microvascular surgery. The Trenton Orthopaedic Group employs a number of fellowship trained orthopaedic hand surgeons and microsurgical experts, and is dedicated to providing the highest quality, compassionate care for its patients.

While surgery is often indicated to treat fractures or arthritic conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities, surgery should only be considered when activity modification or other conservative treatment methods, such as splinting, physical therapy, or injections into the joint, do not sufficiently alleviate pain and other limiting symptoms. An orthopaedic hand surgeon can determine if the musculoskeletal condition affecting the hand or upper extremity will require surgery, or whether noninvasive means can sufficiently alleviate pain and reduced mobility.

Orthopadedic Surgical Excellence in Trenton, New Jersey

With thirteen orthopaedic surgeons specializing in a wide variety of bone and joint treatments, including hand and upper extremity surgery, microvascular surgery, trauma, and foot and ankle surgery, spine surgery, sports medicine, and reconstructive joint surgery the Trenton Orthopaedic Group is one of the few full-service orthopaedic clinics serving patients in the New Jersey region, and is fully equipped to properly treat your musculoskeletal condition. Find out more about the Mercerville, NJ and Pennington, NJ offices to make an appointment or view the facilities.