Our Services / Foot & Ankle Surgery

What is foot and ankle surgery?

Foot and ankle surgery uses a combination of anesthesia and special tools to treat damage or disease affecting your feet or ankles.

At Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. Prakash always recommends conservative, noninvasive treatments first. If your symptoms fail to improve or get worse, you might be a candidate for surgery.

What are some types of foot and ankle surgery?

At Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. Prakash offers several types of foot and ankle surgery, including:

• Posterior tibialis tendon surgery
• Ankle fusion
• Bunion surgery
• Achilles tendon repair surgery
• Ankle replacement surgery
• Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction
• Hammertoe surgery
• Plantar fasciitis surgery

Dr. Prakash also performs limb salvage for diabetic ulcers and other potentially serious infections.

How do I prepare for foot and ankle surgery?

It’s important to schedule a consultation at Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic before undergoing foot and ankle surgery. During your appointment, Dr. Prakash reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms and goals.

If you take any prescription medication, supplements, or vitamins, make sure to let Dr. Prakash know. Certain drugs can interfere with the anesthesia, so you might need to make adjustments in the days leading up to your operation.

You should also alert Dr. Prakash to any underlying medical conditions you’re living with, like heart disease or diabetes. These issues won’t necessarily prevent you from undergoing surgery, but they may increase the risk of complications, so it’s important they’re under control. 

What happens during foot and ankle surgery?

Dr. Prakash performs foot and ankle surgery at a local hospital. 

On the day of your operation, you’ll be prepared for surgery by a caring staff and be administered a general anesthetic. 

After you fall asleep, Dr. Prakash makes a series of small incisions in your foot or ankle. Then, he inserts special tools through the incisions to make the necessary repairs. 

For example, if you’re undergoing an ankle replacement, Dr. Prakash removes the diseased portion of your ankle joint and replaces it with a prosthetic made of metal or plastic. He closes up the incision after placing the new joint and moves you to a recovery room for observation.

What is recovery like after foot and ankle surgery?

After foot and ankle surgery, you might have to stay in the hospital for a short amount of time. When the anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to experience bruising, swelling, and pain. Take your medication as prescribed, and follow Dr. Prakash’s recovery instructions.

As your body begins healing, it’s important to enroll in physical therapy. Physical therapy teaches you stretches and strengthening exercises to encourage your body’s healing process.

To see if you can benefit from foot and ankle surgery, make an appointment at Lake Washington Foot and Ankle Clinic by calling the office or booking online today.