Patients with complex foot & ankle deformities undergocorrective surgeries at Fortis Mohali
— A wide array of services for foot problems such as pain in heels, flat feet,
bunions etc. are being offered for foot-related problems at the facility –-
Fatehabad, 23rd January, 2024: A 65-year-old woman was facing a challenging time as she had multiple corns and callosities (skin becomes thickened as a result of repeated contact and friction) under her right foot. This had badly restricted her movement, and due to the pain, she was also unable to wear her footwear.
Unable to bear the discomfort and restricted mobility, the Patient finally approached Dr Chandan Narang, Associate Consultant, Foot and Ankle Department, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, recently.
Dr Narang examined the Patient and clinical evaluation revealed that she had Rheumatoid Arthritis with a Rheumatoid Foot.Her great toe was found to be rigid and in valgus (deformity wherein the foot is turned outward to an abnormal degree), while the other four toes had a hammer deformity(toe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint).The Patient had also undergone corn excision several times at different hospitals, but her condition continued to deteriorate over time.
Dr Narang conducted a Deformity Correction Surgery on the Patient, wherein the Great Toe was surgically corrected using implants. The Small Toe Deformity was corrected via excision Arthroplasty and Tendon Lengthening and Tendon Transfer (surgically cut a part or entire tendon to create a longer, tendon) and fixed with Kirschner wire (metal pin used to hold the bone together).
Following good rehabilitation at Fortis Mohali, the Patient was discharged next day. Post six weeks of the surgery, the Kirschner wires were removed and she underwent physiotherapy for heel walking in special shoes. In three months, the Patient could wear normal shoes with complete weight bearing.
Discussing the case, Dr Narang, said, “Post surgery, the Patient was able to walk with the entire sole of her foot touching the ground. We were able to improve her posture with this and she has been walking without support ever since.”
In another case, a 13-year-old boy suffering from acute foot pain had progressive difficulty in walking. His physical examination revealed a normal appearing right foot but Equinocavovarus Deformity (complete change in the shape of foot including ankle) of left foot. Dr Narang treated the Patient wherein he underwent six complex surgical procedures in a single sitting to make the foot appearance normal and walkable. The Patient was discharged on the next day of the surgery though the stitches were removed after 21 days and the plaster continued for six weeks. The young Patient was able to walk without any support after 12 weeks.
Shedding light on the case, Dr Narang, added, “Deformities in the foot and ankle can be congenital or they can be developed over a period of time due to neuromuscular defects. Patients suffering a stroke, nerve or tendon injuries may can develop such problems. However, Fortis Mohali offers world-class treatment for all foot-related disorders.”
