A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes an intense fear of a certain object or situation. Many people with this disorder fear animals such as dogs or snakes. Other people are afraid of closed spaces (claustrophobia), heights (acrophobia), or flying. Often, there's no reason to be afraid. Yet the fear seems beyond your control.

To help the bone heal properly, you may need to wear a cast. If you do, always keep it dry. Your healthcare provider 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 most often inherited. When the fifth toe curls inward, it moves under the next toe. Then the nail of the curled toe starts to face outward. As a result, you may bear weight on the side of your toe instead of the bottom. This can cause corns and painful nails. There are many nonsurgical treatments available. But if these are not effective, surgery is a choice.

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.

Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) often happens in the joint of a big toe. This bone growth may cause pain and stiffness in the joint. Left untreated, arthritis can break down the cartilage and destroy the joint. Your treatment choices depend on how damaged your joint is. There are many nonsurgical treatments, but if these are not helpful, surgery may be considered.

A bunion is a bony bump. When the distance between the first and second metatarsal bones of the foot is greater than normal, the big toe may turn toward the other toes. A mild bunion may then form causing foot pain and swelling. Bunions are most often found near the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions tend to run in families. They may cause pain, swelling, and skin irritation.

Your healthcare provider 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.