McCowan, Stuart Allister

Definitions

Foot and ankle surgery is part of orthopaedics and podiatry, which involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle. Orthopaedic surgery deals with problemsoccurring with the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles of the ankle and foot. Surgery is often carried out with minimally invasive methods such as arthroscopy, in which a small flexible tube (arthroscope) is inserted through a small incision. The arthroscope allows the required site, often a joint, to be viewed on a display monitor, so the surgeon can inspect, diagnose and repair tissues. Other common procedures treat ankle arthritis, bunions (hard, painful bumps on the big toe joint), and nerves in the feet.moreA joint is any area where two bones are attached to allow movement of body parts, and is usually formed of fibrous connective tissue and cartilage. Joint replacement surgery, known as arthroplasty, a part of orthopaedic surgery, involves a diseased or damaged joint being removed and replaced with an artificial one (known as a prosthesis). Artificial joints are usually made of metal, ceramic or plastic materials. The most common joint replacements are the hip and knee, along with the shoulder and ankle.moreKnee surgery includes knee replacement surgery or arthroplasty, to remove part or all of a damaged or diseased knee joint. In general, the surgery consists of replacing the joint surfaces withartificial components. This may be done with open surgery under general or regional anaesthetic. Knee arthroscopy is common and less invasive. It involves small incisions being made on the knee through which is inserted a flexible instrument with a camera attached (arthroscope). This allows examination of the joint, diagnosis of problems and, in some cases, various repairs to damaged tissue, ligaments and some bone fractures.moreOrthopaedic surgery is concerned with treating conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Orthopaedic surgeons use bothsurgical and non-surgical methods to treat a wide range of problems, including trauma (injury), sports injuries, degenerative diseases (e.g. arthritis), infections, tumours and congenital disorders (those present at birth). Various procedures to treat the knee, shoulder and hip are among the most commonly performed surgery.more