BELOW-KNEE AMPUTATION

An amputation between the ankle and knee; often leads to the use of an artificial leg

BIOLOGICS

Substances your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon may inject in the office or use during surgery to help healing

BONE GRAFT

A procedure that takes bone from one area of the body and puts it in another part of the body where bone is missing and/or support is needed

BONE MARROW ASPIRATION

A biologic treatment made from fluid taken from bone marrow; contains certain types of stem cells that can play a role in healing

BRISEMENT

The injection of fluid into the space between a tendon and its lining; the procedure breaks up scar tissue and stimulates tendon healing

CHARCOT RESTRAINT ORTHOTIC WALKER

A rigid boot that supports a foot with Charcot neuroarthropathy

DISTRACTION ARTHROPLASTY

A "stretching out" of the ankle joint that aims to heal damaged tissue from arthritis

EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY

A non-invasive treatment method that uses pressure waves to deliver a mechanical force to the body’s tissues

GANGLION RESECTION

A procedure to remove a non-cancerous cyst that forms on top of a joint, ligament, or tendon

GASTROCNEMIUS RELEASE

A procedure that lengthens the gastrocnemius tendon to increase the flexibility of the calf muscle

HARDWARE REMOVAL

Removal of an implant/hardware after surgery if it is painful, associated with an infection, or your bone didn't heal as hoped

JOINT INJECTION

A procedure that introduces medication into a joint to relieve pain and improve joint function

MIDFOOT/CHARCOT AMPUTATION

Amputations that remove the toes and half of the foot, leaving behind the heel and ankle joints

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY

A technique used by foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to treat conditions and deformities using very small incisions

ORTHOTICS

Devices that are worn to relieve pain associated with foot and ankle deformities

PLANTAR FASCIA INJECTION

An injection into the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes; may be recommended to relieve plantar fasciitis pain

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INJECTION

An injection containing a large number of growth factors thought to stimulate healing

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA

Medicine that makes a specific body part numb so that surgery can be performed

SYME AMPUTATION

Amputation in which the foot is removed but the heel pad is saved; allows putting weight on the leg without a prosthesis

TENDON INJECTIONS

A procedure that may be used to treat paratenonitis or tendinosis, with a goal of decreasing inflammation or stimulating healing

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images, and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find a Surgeon " search to locate a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in your area.