TX PODIATRIST WARNS OF RISK OF COSMETIC FOOT SURGERY

AUSTIN REGIONAL CLINIC PODIATRIST, DR. VIKAS GODHANIA SAYS "WHAT SOME PODIATISTS ARE DOING IS SIMILIAR TO WHAT HE DOES FOR PEOPLE WITH HAMMER TOES.  THERE ARE THREE BONES IN THE TOE.  THESE ARE THE ONES WE TALK ABOUT REMOVING PORTIONS OF THE TOE USUALLY, THE MIDDLE PHALANX.  SOMETIMES THEY WILL TAKE THE MIDDLE AND A PORTION OF THE NEXT BONE AS WELL."

PODIATRIST GODHANIA ONLY TREATS PEOPLE WHO ARE IN PAIN, BUT HE STATES "PATIENTS DO ASK FOR THE PROCEDURE FOR COSMETIC REASONS.  WE GET REQUEST ALMOST DAILY.  THERE ARE SEVERE COMPLICATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO ALTERING YOUR TOES IF YOU DON'T NEED IT.  WHEN YOU TAKE A STRAIGHT TOE THAT'S LONG AND YOU SHORTEN IT, NOW THERE ARE CONCERNS OF THE TOE BEING FLOPPY AND LOSING ITS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY WHICH IS A KNOWN COMPLICATION."

THERE IS ONE PODIATRIST IN TORONTO WHO STATES THAT 35% OF HIS PRACTICE IS PERFORMING  FOOT SURGERIES FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN COSMETIC PURPOSES.  HE HAD AN ARTICLE IN THE NATIONAL POST WHERE HE WAS EXPLAINING A SURGERY HE DOES FOR WOMEN WHERE HE SHAVES TISSUE OFF THE SIDES OF THE TOES SO THE FEET WILL BETTER FIT INTO HIGH HEELS.  THE ARTICLE WAS PREFACED BY THE EDITORS COMMENT "ARE WE LOSING OUR MINDS"  OUR FOOT CLINIC WOULD NEVER EVER REFER ANY PATIENT FOR SUCH BIZZARE COSMETIC FOOT SURGERIES.  IN FACT WE TELL ALL OUR FEMALE PATIENTS TO REFRAIN ABSOLUTELY FROM WEARING HIGH HEELS BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY BAD FOR YOUR FEET, BUT YOUR OVERALL POSTURE AND HEALTH.

PROFESSIONAL FOOT CLINIC

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