CONDITIONS & SURGERIES
Find more information on your injury or condition and available treatments below:
Elective Conditions are often related to a longstanding problem where you are choosing to seek out treatment/surgery. Dr. Roberts' elective practice is focused on all problems of the foot and ankle.
Urgent Non-elective Problems often arise out of an unplanned injury and often require more timely treatment such as a fracture (broken bone), ligament or tendon tear. Dr. Roberts treats Urgent upper and lower extremity problems through the Burnaby Hospital Emergency Department.
ELECTIVE FOOT & ANKLE PROBLEMS
Refer to the list below to read about various conditions of the foot and ankle. Click on "Learn More" to read about the available treatments and their post operative instructions. Each patient's surgical needs vary and often require some customization or a combination of various procedures. Make an appointment with Dr. Roberts if you have ongoing questions about your surgical plan, recovery timeline and/or expectations.
ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY
Achilles tendinopathy presents as pain and often swelling in the achilles itself or, where the achilles attaches to the heel bone or calcaneus. Resting, icing, anti-inflammatories and a specific physiotherapy program can often bring relief. If it doesn't, or your symptoms are back again you may want to consider injections or surgery.
ADULT ACQUIRED FLAT FOOT DEFORMITY
A progressive collapsing foot deformity, previously known as an adult acquired flatfoot is often a progressive problem which is the result of a combination of problems within the foot and ankle such as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction or spring ligament dysfunction. Initial treatment typically involves orthotics, bracing and physiotherapy. If you are still having pain, surgery involving osteotomy, tendon transfer or fusions can be considered.
ANKLE ARTHRITIS
Ankle Arthritis occurs for a variety of reasons (Osteoarthritis, Post traumatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis). As the cartilage wears away with time, the joint space becomes narrowed and pain can occur. This can be occasional at first but worsens with time. If your pain persists, you may benefit from treatment.
ARTHRITIS OF THE MIDFOOT/HINDFOOT
Arthritis can affect any of the many joints in your feet. Common areas in the hindfoot and midfoot include the TMT joints, Talonavicular joint and the subtalar joint. Regardless of the area involved, the symptoms typically include pain, swelling and stiffness. Typical initial treatments include shoe changes, orthotics and antiinflammatories. Should this fail, surgery can be considred.
HALLUX VALGUS (BUNION)
A bunion or Hallux Valgus is a condition that leads to widening of your forefoot. This makes it hard to find shoes that fit and can lead to painful rubbing on this area beside your big toe. If your bunion is causing pain that is affecting your life despite shoe changes, surgery may be right for you.
MORTON'S NEUROMA
A Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the digital nerve between either your second and third or third and fourth toes. This can cause shooting pain into your toes that can feel sharp or electrical. You can also feel clicking in the ball of your foot or, feel as though you are walking on a balled up sock. Orthotics and shoe changes can be very effective, but if it isn't enough, surgery may be for you.
OSTEOCHONDRAL LESIONS OF THE TALUS (OCL)
Either a chronic or acute (traumatic) problem, an OCL can cause swelling, pain, clicking and catching in the ankle due to a cartilage defect and often associated swelling or cysts in the underlying bone. Bracing, orthotics and physiotherapy helps settle this down but if the symptoms persist than injections or surgery could be considered.