Is Foot Plastic Surgery Safe?

Last week it was chin implants and this week it is toe tucks.  Butt, boobs, tummy, nose, and thighs are only a few common “problem” areas.  Plastic surgery has become nearly mainstream.   From 2000 to 2006, cosmetic surgeries performed increased by 48 percent and Americans spent over 11 billion dollars a year to better their looks under the knife.  At one time it was the rich and famous who got the occasional tuck and tighten but now it seems like everyone is getting their dose of Botox and surgical “touch ups.”  I now have patients coming in asking for cosmetic foot surgery. 

More popular in Hollywood and New York, podiatric plastic surgery has become the rage among women who have to wear the towering heels.  Why buy a more comfortable pair of shoes when you can get your foot reshaped to fit into the fancy shoes you love!  Clearly justifying their decision with fashion over logic, many are subjecting themselves to the knife, removing bones and sometimes complete toes.  Yes, complete toes.  Amputation of the fifth toe is now a procedure women are asking for so they can better squeeze their feet in the highly unreasonable shoes.  Are there any serious risks to these cosmetic foot surgeries?

Every surgical procedure carries risks.  Even the best surgeon in world has had a complication.  Some are unavoidable, unpredictable or even untreatable without devastating results.  Simply said, stuff happens.  In 2009, former Miss Argentina died after butt enhancing surgery.  This young, healthy, celebrity died of a pulmonary embolism.  Blood clots that traveled to the lungs are uncommon complications after surgery and in foot surgery it occurs in less than 1%.  Still, it does happen and it can be fatal.  This is of course the worst case scenario.  Less fatal but possibly equally devastating are post operative infections.  In young healthy patients, these can typically be treated successfully with antibiotics.  Occasionally, the infection is more severe requiring more surgery, and possible amputation.   Other complications consist of nerve damage, chronic pain, recurrence of deformity, and worsening appearance.  Currently the American Podiatric Medical Association and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society both denounce cosmetic surgery to the foot due to the inherent risks of surgery far outweighing the benefits.  Many people need foot surgery but such surgical procedures are reserved for people experiencing pain or a chronic deformity.  

We have all been there.   A gorgeous pair of shoes on sale just begging you to buy them,  but they are just a size too small.  If only your foot were a little smaller, a little narrower, if you had one less toe or less toe cleavage, you could make this perfect pair of shoes fit!  Unfortunately a toe tuck or a foot facelift is not the answer.  There are some shoes you just have to walk away from.  If the shoe hurts, it doesn’t fit!!!  It’s better to find a shoe to fit the foot than make a foot that fits the shoe.