Without a doubt, your feet are two of the most important and useful parts of the body—you need them to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom, to run a marathon, and to do pretty much everything else in between. It is estimated that the average person will have walked over 75,000 miles by the time they reach the age of 50. Therefore, it is no surprise that over three-quarters of Americans will deal with a foot or ankle ailment at some point during their lives.
Although some athletes and frequent exercisers will develop problems related to sports injuries, some deformities may be simply caused by genetics, aging, foot structure, or improperly-fitting footwear. Many of these issues can be remedied at home and will go away on their own, but some cases might require surgery in a podiatrist’s office, surgical center, or hospital.
If you are from Onondaga County and the larger Central New York Area and you are in need of foot or ankle surgery, look no further than Syracuse Podiatry. Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and carries staff privileges at Camillus Surgery Center. The following are some conditions that can be improved or corrected entirely with surgery:
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Calluses and corns
- Flatfoot
- Hammertoes
- Heel spurs
- Neuromas
- Sprains or fractures
- Warts
After surgery, Dr. D’Amico will cover the affected area with a bandage or cast to immobilize it and protect the stitches from becoming wet or dirty. At-home treatment involves R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This will help to reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, physical therapy will be prescribed to regain strength or coordination. Special footwear or inserts like orthotics may be necessary to prevent deformities from occurring again.
If you have any questions for our staff or would like to make an appointment with Dr. D’Amico to receive an opinion, please feel free to contact us or call our Fayetteville office at (315) 446-3668!