Once you have been referred for your foot and ankle condition, our specialist team will assess you. Depending on your general health, other medical conditions and the nature of the presenting condition, you may be offered surgery. If you have no medical conditions which would require additional medical backup, you will have your operation at our dedicated elective day case unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
Our foot and ankle team provides specialist assessment, treatment and surgery for a wide range of conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Our multidisciplinary team includes:
- Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Consultant Anaesthetists
- Resident Doctors
- Surgical Care Practitioners
- Specialist Nurses
- Extended Scope Practitioners
- Physiotherapists
- Administration staff
Our team
- Mr Rajiv Limaye – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Mr Mohit Sethi – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Mr Paul Mackenney – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Beth Alderton – Senior Surgical Care Practitioner Orthopaedics
- Lynne Robertson-McPartlin – Senior Surgical Care Practitioner Orthopaedics
- Beverley Dunwell – (Mr Limaye, Mr Sethi)
- Susan Douthwaite – (Mr Mackenney)
Before Surgery
We understand that the prospect of having surgery can feel daunting. We have recently created the foot and ankle school, which is a new service ran by our Surgical Care Practitioners. Patients who are listed for elective foot and ankle procedures will be invited to attend these sessions. Our aim is to provide you with the information and support you need before your operation. We understand that preparing for surgery can raise many questions, and we hope this session will help you feel informed, confident and ready for your surgery.
In addition, you may also require adaptations for your home which will be put in place before your surgery. Our integrated care services staff will take care of any ongoing medical needs you may have when you are discharged home.
On the day of surgery
We will ask you to come to the hospital on the day of the surgery, and attend our access lounge. You will be met by our team of nurses and support staff, who will carry out any final tests and checks. You will be situated in individual rooms for your comfort and privacy, but there is also a lounge with a TV if you would prefer. Any personal belongings will be taken to our discharge ward and will be waiting for you following your surgery.
When you come into hospital for your surgery, you will be reviewed prior to theatre by the anaesthetist. Most foot and ankle day case procedures are done under a general anaesthetic, with additional local anaesthetic blocks for pain relief. If you have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, you may be offered a spinal anaesthetic. You can bring some music and earplugs but most patients under a spinal anaesthetic will drift off to a natural sleep whilst the operation is taking place.
Our patients, under the care of our nurses and therapists, are mobilised following their surgery. Depending upon your weight bearing status, a physiotherapist will assess you and provide you with any walking aids to ensure you are safe prior to discharge. Foot and Ankle surgery is carried out as a day case procedure, meaning you will be admitted and discharged on the same day unless you are required to remain as an inpatient due to medical or social reasons. Please ensure you have someone to bring you to the hospital on the day of your surgery, and collect you following your procedure.
Conditions we treat
We carry out a range of different treatments for a wide variety of foot and ankle issues.
Foot:
- Bunion-Scarf osteotomy
- Lapidus fusion
- Weil osteotomy
- Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery
- Treatment of heel pain
- Treatment of toenail disorders
- Treatment of Morton’s neuroma
- Excision of bony lumps/soft tissue swellings around foot and ankle
- Assessment of paediatric foot deformity
Ankle:
- Treatment of ankle ligament injuries
- Treatment of tendon disorders by tendon transfer
- Excision of bony lumps/soft tissue swellings around foot and ankle
- Ankle osteotomy
- Ankle arthritis
Arthroscopic surgery:
Trauma and fractures:
- Fracture fixation and rehabilitation
- Lisfranc fracture fixation
- Calcaneal fracture fixation
- Ankle fractures
- Foot dislocation