To help the bone heal properly, you may need to wear a cast. If you do, always keep it dry. Your doctor will tell you whether you can bear weight on your foot while it heals. They may also prescribe a surgical shoe for you to wear.

Tight shoes and high heels can place extra pressure on the ball of your foot, causing neuromas and calluses. A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. It can cause pain, numbness, or burning. A plantar callus is a buildup of hard skin on the ball of the foot. The callus may feel like a stone in your shoe. There are many nonsurgical treatments for neuromas and calluses, but if these are not helpful, surgery may be considered.

A curled fifth toe is usually inherited. It curls inward, moving under the next toe, causing the nail to face outward. This may lead to bearing weight on the toe's side, resulting in corns and pain. Nonsurgical treatments exist, but surgery is a choice if they fail.

With hammertoes, one or more toes curl or bend abnormally. This can be caused by an inherited muscle problem, an abnormal bone length, or poor foot mechanics. There are many nonsurgical treatments for hammertoes, but if these are not effective, you may want to consider surgery.

Your plantar fascia is the ligament that extends from the heel of your foot to the ball of your foot. If your foot flattens too much or too little as you move, you may strain your plantar fascia. While the vast majority of people with plantar fascia pain can be helped with nonsurgical treatments, surgery can be considered if these treatments fail.

A bone spur (an extra bone growth) can make walking and wearing shoes painful. There are several nonsurgical treatments for bone spurs. But if these aren't effective, surgery can be considered.

Arthritis often affects the big toe joint, causing pain and stiffness. Untreated, it can damage cartilage and destroy the joint. Treatment choices include nonsurgical methods, but surgery may be needed if these fail.

A bunion is a bony bump near the joint at the base of the big toe. It forms when the first and second metatarsal bones are misaligned, causing the big toe to turn toward the others. Bunions, often hereditary, can lead to pain, swelling, and skin irritation.

Your doctor can tell you where your surgery will be done. You will also be told the type of anesthesia you’ll be given during surgery to stay pain-free during the procedure.

Learn what to expect after electrothermal catheter therapy, both in the hospital and when you're at home.