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What is
Exostectomy?
Exostectomy is the process of getting rid of
bony bumps on the bones. These bones can
differ in size, location and number,
depending on the person. Any bone can be
affected and the long bones (legs, arms,
fingers, toes), pelvis, and shoulder blades
are the common ones, while the face and
skull are normally unchanged.
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Effects
of Exostectomy
Exostoses occasionally develop near nerves
or tendons and press on them. The removal of
exostoses is necessary so that they would
not damage the structure laying over them.
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Candidates
for Exostectomy
Surgery is recommended if an exostosis is
painful, pressing on a vital structure,
cosmetically unappealing, or if easily
bumped.
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Your
Consultation
The doctor will perform a physical
examination, as well as an evaluation of
your gait, examination of your feet and a
neurological examination. It is also
possible that the doctor may want to inspect
your shoes. Signs of extreme wear in
specific parts of a shoe can give beneficial
clues to problems in the way you walk and
poor bone alignment. Depending on the
outcome of your physical examination, you
may be required to have foot
X-rays or other diagnostic tests.
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The Exostectomy
Procedure
There are numerous procedures and techniques
for foot and ankle surgery. Each patient is
unique, each possessing a distinctive
problem. Treatment will depend on the
specific condition of the patient.
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Recovery
Rest is recommended for the injured ankle,
usually from 2 to 4 weeks. To prevent
weight-bearing, the use of splints or
crutches may be needed. It is also suggested
that you elevate the foot when sitting or
lying down. Then you can gradually return to
your normal activities.
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Risks
Probable complications are proneness to
repeated injury and degenerative arthritic
changes in the ankle joint and cartilage in
later life. It is also possible that there
may be injury or pressure on nearby nerves,
ligaments, tendons, blood vessels or
connective tissue. There is also the risk of
disability serious enough to reduce an
athlete's competitive ability if the
exostosis is left untreated. Since mild
exostosis is not promptly noticeable,
coaches and other athletes often attribute
the deterioration in performance to
emotional causes or a loss of competitive
drive in the athlete, rather than awareness
that it is brought about by a physical
disability such as exostosis.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What
is
an
exostosis?
A:
An exostosis is the creation of new
bone
on the surface of a bone. Exostosis can produce chronic
pain, extending from mild to debilitatingly severe,
depending on its location and size.
Q: What
causes exostosis?
A:
One
of the causes of exostosis is recurring ankle or foot
injury, even mild injury. Another factor is the involvement
in sports that need "pushing off" or "springing" from a
position with the foot bent upward.
Q: What
are the symptoms of exostosis?
A:
The
following are some signs and symptoms of exostosis:
·
Loss of
"push" or "drive" (the ability to push off quickly and
forcefully in running).
·
Inability
to run, cut or jump at full speed.
·
Low level
of ankle pain with activity. Occasionally, no pain exists.
·
No
tenderness or pressure with a physical examination.
Sometimes pain and tenderness in the ankle and top of the
heel bone can be identified only by special examination from
a trained medical professional.
·
Variation
in ankle-bone contours. This starts as a small irregular
bump that develops to a large calcified spur (1 cm or more
in length). In the worst cases, the exostosis may break away
and emerge on the X-ray as a calcified foreign body.
·
"Locking"
if the tendon catches on the exostosis during exercise.
Q: How
can I prevent exostosis?
A:
To
prevent exostosis, you can get involved in vigorous muscle
strengthening and conditioning prior to regular involvement
in sports. You can also allocate full healing time after an
ankle or foot injury before returning to any sport that
makes you push off and run. It is also helpful to warm up
sufficiently before competition or workouts.
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