In almost all decisions in life, we want to make sure that our time, money and effort are well spent. Nobody wants to pursue something that won’t be worth it in the end, and that’s especially true when it comes to our health. We don’t want to put you through the physical discomfort and the financial burden of foot surgery if we don’t believe that it will be worth it for you in the end.
Is there a way to know for certain that foot or ankle surgery will be worth it ahead of time? We don’t like to speak in certainties, but their are aspects of your life that you can evaluate that can help you better understand if surgery will likely be worth it in the long run. We spotlight some of those factors in today’s blog.
Determining If Foot Surgery Is Worth It
This will be far from a comprehensive list, especially because worth is so uniquely tied to the individual making the choice. With that said, if you evaluate some of the factors below, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to have a clearer idea of whether or not surgery is worth it for you:
1. Your Other Options – If you’ve tried weeks of conservative treatments and have yet to experience any meaningful recovery, the prospect of surgery may seem more lucrative. However, if your doctor believes that one or more conservative care techniques could help you find relief without surgery, then you may want to hold off on an operation. Surgery will appear more tempting if you’re running out of effective treatment options.
2. Your Individual Goals – Really consider what you hope to get out of surgery. Do you want to return to certain physical activities, or do you simply want to walk without pain? Figure out what’s important to you and talk with your doctor to see if surgery could realistically help you reach your individual goals.
3. Your Health – Your overall health can help to determine whether or not it is worth it to pursue surgical treatment. If you have a number of underlying health conditions or you are an elderly patient, the risks associated with surgery may not outweigh the benefits of the operation. Have a conversation with your foot and ankle specialist about your health and understand your individual risk profile.
4. The Financial Impact – Nobody should shy away from necessary medical care as a result of the impending financial implications, but the fact of the matter is that it is smart to at least get a general sense of how the operation could impact you and your family financially. Talk with your doctor, get surgical codes and connect with your insurance provider to learn about your coverage and what type of medical expenses you can expect when all is said and done.
5. Your Commitment To Recovery – Surgery is only a small part of your recovery journey after a foot or ankle injury. You’re going to have to put in the work during physical therapy in order to make the strongest recovery possible. If you hope to just lay in bed and make a full recovery, that won’t happen, and for these patients surgery may not be worth it. If you’re willing to put in the work on your end to make the strongest recovery possible, it’s much more likely that surgery will be worth it for you.
6. Your Care Team – Finally, surgery is more likely to be worth it if you put your faith in the hands of an experienced surgeon. You need to move forward with a surgeon you have complete faith in who has a track record of success, because that will help increase the likelihood that all your efforts will be worth it. Don’t commit to surgery until you find a surgeon that you have confidence in.