When can I schedule elective foot and ankle surgery?

Elective foot and ankle surgeries are now allowed again with some restrictions.  Today, April 27, we are now allowed to resume some elective surgeries.  Elective is really not a very good term, because these are the surgeries that we do that aren't technically emergencies, but are done to help decrease pain and improve function.

Some common electives surgeries that we perform are:

• bunionectomies
• ingrown toenails
• hammertoe repair
• metatarsal osteotomies
• 1st MTP fusion
• neuroma removal
• midfoot or hindfoot/rearfoot fusion
• flatfoot reconstruction
• bone spur removal
• achilles tendon repair or lengthening
• total ankle replacement/ arthroplasty
• lateral ankle stabilization/ ligament repair
• ankle arthroscopy/ cartilage repair

All these procedures are not done for cosmetic purposes, but are done to try and decrease pain and improve function for patients.  Now that we are scheduling these again, there are some restrictions that seem to be changing daily, but the current ones are listed below:

• Beginning Monday, April 27, and for 2-weeks following, elective surgical procedures may be scheduled and performed except for patients who disclose upon screening any of the following co-morbidities/risk factors:
• Patients over the age of 75
• Lung disease, including moderate to severe asthma
• OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) on CPAP
• Severe cardiovascular disease
• Compromised immunity
• Severe Obesity – BMI >40
• Poorly Controlled Diabetes
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• Lives in assisted living/nursing home, or recently in SNF (skilled nursing facility)
• Pregnancy
• Patients will be asked to self-isolate for 6 days prior to procedure
• Depending on the facility, some locations are also asking patients to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the procedure

If you have any foot and ankle pain or problem, the team at Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado is here to help you.  Drs. Matthew Hinderland and Jordan Cameron perform all types of foot and ankle reconstructive surgery and are expertly trained to get you healed and back to full function as soon as possible.  Call us at 719-488-4664, so we can help you today!

Author

Dr. Matthew Hinderland Board Certified Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Surgeon