“What Keeps Me up at Night”: Complications in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Abstract

Foot and ankle surgery has a number of potential complications that are generalizable to orthopaedic surgery, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVTs), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and complications related to regional anesthesia. However, the characteristics of these complications differ because of the anatomical location and unique procedures within foot and ankle surgery. In this article, we summarize the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of common complications within foot and ankle surgery that cause grief for both orthopaedic providers and patients alike, such as persistent swelling, CRPS, and DVTs.