Cosmetic foot surgery is simply a surgical procedure that improves the look of your feet. While most foot surgery is undertaken to correct foot abnormalities like bunions and hammered long toes, a cosmetic approach to foot surgery can also produce outstanding functional outcomes. Cosmetic foot surgery is something that podiatric foot surgeons frequently perform.
Can You Have Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
Cosmetic foot surgery is typically conducted as a day-case operation. The procedure can be conducted under general or local anesthesia, depending on the patient's preference. Common cosmetic surgery treatments for the foot are:
- Bunion surgery
A bunion (medically known as a hallux valgus deformity) is a hereditary disorder in which the big toe protrudes towards the outside of the foot, resulting in a noticeable hump on the first metatarsal head on the inside of the big toe joint. This becomes particularly difficult with footwear and is more frequent in women than in males. Most persons develop symptoms in their late teens, and the majority of surgeries are done on patients in their twenties or later. The metatarsal is repositioned, resulting in a straighter, more cosmetically appealing toe position and a thinner foot;
- Toe straightening and shortening
Toe abnormalities can be caused by a bunion deformity or an imbalance in tendon function around the toes. The toes grow twisted and deformed at the small joints. This will lead to permanent retraction over time, as well as corns on the tops of the toes caused by footwear discomfort. Surgical methods employ sophisticated technology with inside implants rather than k-wires protruding from your toes. The toe is repositioned for a straighter, somewhat shorter look. Cosmetically, scars are concealed and maintained to a minimum.
Cosmetic Foot Surgery - Corn Removal
Corns occur on the joints of the lesser toes due to friction or direct pressure from footwear. The underlying cause of the corn is frequently a toe deformity that causes excessive pressure on the joint surface, leading to reactive changes to the skin and tissue, which leads to bursitis and skin hardening. This is more than just a cosmetic problem; it can cause substantial pain and anguish for the patient.
Surgery is often performed to either remove the skin lesion/corn on its own, if there is no underlying toe deformity, or to treat the toe deformity while also excising the corn. An incision is done on each side of the corn to remove the whole lesion. At this point, any bone that has to be removed at the knuckle joint to straighten or shorten the toe can be done using specialized bone-cutting materials. The joints are then secured with either k-wires or specialized implants. The skin is then healed with non-absorbable sutures, resulting in a clean scar that will disappear over time.
Cinderella Foot Surgery - Foot Slimming Surgery
Cosmetic foot surgery for broad feet is sometimes known as Cinderella foot surgery or the foot slimming procedure. Patients frequently come with a bunion on the big toe and a tailor's bunionette on the fifth toe region, resulting in bunions on either side of the forefoot. This would create the illusion of a broad forefoot that splays and spreads, particularly in flatter shoes or barefoot.
This can cause both practical difficulties, such as discomfort from the bunion and bunionette, particularly in shoes, and cosmetic concerns due to large feet. Patients frequently struggle to locate shoes that are broad enough at the forefoot while being snug at the heel, allowing them to manage their foot within the shoe.
The Cinderella foot operation corrects both the bunion and bunionette deformities by resetting the first metatarsal bone into normal position, as well as the fifth metatarsal, using a method called scarf osteotomy. Internal screw fixation is utilized to keep the bone in its new position as it heals for 6-8 weeks. The titanium screws used in this treatment are specifically designed to remain in the body without causing any harm. They enable early mobility, which eliminates the need for casts after surgery.
