Foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons offer alternative treatment options, inspiring hope.
“We can repair and treat patients' feet, helping them regain their functions and address disabilities.”
The foot is one of the organs we take for granted, overuse, and inadequately care for. We do not realize they deserve special care until foot issues or disorders have greatly affected our daily activities and quality of life.
In this issue of MedPark Stories, Dr. Krit Prueksawan, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, recounts his experience and decision to become a foot and ankle surgeon despite there being only five specialists in the country at the time.
Foot and ankle orthopedist: In short supply but making a big impact
Recognizing the scarcity of foot and ankle surgeons, with only five doctors in the country, enticed him to enroll in this discipline to increase the headcount of the specialists.
“A steady stream of foot and ankle patients sought specialist care in the orthopedic clinic despite the dearth of specialist doctors who can give the most accurate and suitable treatment.”
“For patients with severe foot problems, such as those with complicated foot disorders and fractures from a serious accident, a typical treatment would have been foot amputation. However, a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon can repair and save the foot in certain instances, forego disability, and help regain foot function and quality of life. These are the notable benefits.”
Helping patients facing a future without a foot or life-long dependency on prostheses maintain the integrity of the limbs, fulfilling their hope, reassured Dr. Krit this was the right path.
Trailblazing foot and ankle surgery was a challenge.
“At first, there were some obstacles. For example, surgical repair for flat feet at the time was a rarity. Many misunderstood they would not be able to walk after flat foot surgery. So, we needed to promote understanding and confidence that foot and ankle surgeons can treat foot conditions or disorders hitherto untreatable.”
In the past, hospital-based general orthopedists approached foot disorders in a way different from that of current foot and ankle orthopedic specialists, which requires being on the same page.
“Back then, we might focus only on internal fixation of the fractured ankle with plates and screws, but today, specialists will identify ligaments that may be torn and repairable with sutures aided by new instruments and implant synthetic tendons, which provide better treatment outcomes compared to bone fixations alone. This way, patients regain their foot function as near normal as possible.”
Dr. Krit recounted that complicated foot disorders like foot and toe deformities, flat feet, ankle deformities, or bowed feet had no surgical treatment, and patients must endure them for the rest of their lives. This is due to a belief in ineffective surgical outcomes, making the treatment moot. However, with advancing knowledge and medical technology, it becomes clear that surgery can fix foot disorders and deformities, improving the quality of life for patients.
Skills requiring ongoing learning and development and hobbies involving the use of feet
Despite its small size, the foot is choked full of details – many tiny joints, bones with multifaceted articulations, and ligaments. It behooves foot and ankle surgeons to update and accumulate experiences. When asked how long and how many cases it has taken to become experienced and, in the element, Dr. Krit said:
“It took 3 - 4 years for proficiency to gel and coalesce. Apart from the specialized knowledge in this discipline, I needed to keep up and acquire skills in novel technology and advanced surgery. I had to practice how to use minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery for ankle surgery. These are for better treatment outcomes and better patient quality of life.”
Dr. Krit's pastimes are playing football or accompanying his child to football practice. He has played the sport since he was seven and played competitively for his high school and varsity football teams. Although he no longer plays the game in earnest, playing football allows him to have quality time with his kid, strengthening the family bond. It is a stress-relieving leisure activity for him.
Advice from the foot and ankle surgeon
“Despite occupying the lowest rung of the body and often overlooked and taken for granted, our feet are crucial as they immediately impair our lives and mobility once disorders or accidents befall them. However, foot disorders are curable if treated early.”
Sometimes, minor accidents may lead to big problems. For example, frequent ankle sprains can cause loosening and instability. Timely treatment, such as casting and physical therapies, can help heal the ankle, allowing patients to return to daily routines and sports. If an ankle sprain is left untreated until it progresses to instability and degeneration, treatment will be much more complicated, and surgery will be necessary. As a result, their quality of life will be affected, preventing them from returning to leading their usual lives.
“Degenerated ankle is treatable. Foot and ankle surgeons can perform surgical repair, enabling patients to return to their daily lives. However, treating a degenerated ankle before it becomes severe allows patients to return to their activities more fully. Because of this, I encourage everyone not to overlook your foot problems.”
