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

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