What is Flatfoot Surgery?
Flat Foot Surgery is a procedure performed to correct a deformity known as flatfoot. The goal of Flatfoot surgery is to restore the arch of the foot while alleviating discomfort and pain that is associated with this condition.
What is Flatfoot?
In a Flatfoot deformity, the arch of the foot collapses and the sole of the foot comes into complete, or near complete, contact with the ground. Flatfoot is also commonly known in the medical world as Pes Planus.
Causes of Flatfoot:
Flatfeet is more common among infants and toddlers because the arch of their foot hasn’t fully developed yet. This is why flexible flatfeet is most common among children, however, people without flatfeet can still develop flatfoot over time. Those more at risk for developing flatfoot include those that are obese, have had prior injuries to the foot or ankle, have rheumatoid arthritis, are aging, or have diabetes.
Flatfeet is more common among infants and toddlers because the arch of their foot hasn’t fully developed yet. This is why flexible flatfeet is most common among children, however, people without flatfeet can still develop flatfoot over time. Those more at risk for developing flatfoot include those that are obese, have had prior injuries to the foot or ankle, have rheumatoid arthritis, are aging, or have diabetes.
Diagnosing Flatfoot:
Flatfoot will be simple to diagnose, as the condition is present and apparent upon physical examination of the foot. If you have flatfoot, you will have an arch in your foot that disappears when bearing weight on the affected foot or feet. Often in patients with flatfoot, the doctor will also observe overpronation of the foot and will show the “too many toes” sign when evaluating the patient from the back. They will compare both feet for symmetry.
Treatment for Flatfoot:
There are several treatment options for surgery to correct a Flatfoot deformity. Depending on the severity of the patient’s Flatfoot and the underlying causes that may have contributed to the deformity, a trusted foot doctor may consider the following options:
- Lengthening the tendon or transferring a new tendon to the affected foot
- Bone realignment
- Fusing the joints in the foot
Recovery Time for Flatfoot Surgery:
Recovering from and the success rate of the Flatfoot procedure chosen vary greatly depending on a patient’s circumstances. Always consult with your trusted foot and ankle specialist to determine the severity of your Flatfoot, which procedure would suit you best and to further discuss the procedure, outcomes, and regimen for post-operative care.