Flat Foot Surgery
Flat foot surgery from expert podiatrists in Woodbury Heights, Haddon Heights, Voorhees, & Pine Hill, NJ
Flat Foot Surgery
Fix your flat feet with the help of our experienced team of podiatrists. Contact us for more information about flat foot surgery.
Flat feet (pes planus) is among the most common podiatric disorders in the US. According to the 2012 National Foot Health Assessment, 8% of over 21s have flat feet, and a further 4% have fallen arches.
Flat-footed meaning
Patients are often confused by the meaning of flat-footed. Flat feet refer to the absence of a normal foot arch when standing – sometimes associated with pain during intensive physical activity. There are three broad types of flat feet:
Flexible flat foot. The most common type – the foot arch, only appears when the foot is lifted off the ground. It begins in childhood and is not associated with pain.
Tight Achilles tendon. If the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel pain is too tight, it can lead to a flattened arch.
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. It begins in adulthood after the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the inside of the ankle becomes injured, swollen, or torn. Pain is located on the inside of the foot and ankle – as well as the outside of the ankle.
Flat foot vs. normal foot
Despite not knowing flat-footed meaning, flat-footedness remains common in the population. Yet, it's also frequently ignored, worsening without treatment from an expert podiatrist.
Unless someone identifies the lack of an arch, many people continue on, unaware that their foot arch is disappearing. Pain does occur in some instances – as the muscles and connecting ligaments are strained. You'll likely notice pain, swelling, or stiffness in the ankle, foot arch, calf, knee, hip, or lower back and legs.
Compared to a normal foot, a flat foot causes an uneven body weight distribution. You'll notice an uneven wearing down in shoes on one side – some people even walk or run unevenly.
Who is at risk of flat feet?
Flat feet are significantly more common in people with a family history. However, there are numerous risk factors for the condition:
Weak arches
Foot or ankle injuries
Existing foot conditions, e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tarsal coalition, tendonitis
Congenital disabilities, e.g., Down syndrome, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Damage, dysfunction, or rupture of the posterior tibial tendon-
Other conditions, e.g., obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension
Young children are also at risk of flat feet – whether it be due to a congenital disability or developmental disorder.
Meanwhile, the greater risk of physical injury or falls also increases the risk in older people.
When is flat foot surgery indicated?
Most individuals with flat feet will not undergo surgery. If the person experiences no pain or discomfort as a result of their flat feet, a podiatric surgeon is unlikely to want to operate.
Candidates for flat foot surgery tend to meet certain criteria:
Flat feet were diagnosed by an X-ray
Healthy enough to tolerate surgery and general anesthesia
Several nonsurgical methods have been tried over a number of years
Continuous or frequent orthopedic pain
Unable to perform certain activities due to flat feet
Eligibility for flat foot surgery is judged on a case-by-case basis, weighing up the pros and cons of surgical intervention. Your specific symptoms, cause, and anatomy will determine whether flat foot surgery proceeds or not.
Pros and cons of flat feet surgery
While flat feet surgery is not indicated in all cases, it does serve as a viable treatment for special groups of patients. In these circumstances, the advantages of flat feet surgery include:
Permanently resolves the flat foot condition
No further treatment or maintenance is needed after
Improves mobility and increases the ability to stay active and be independent
High potential for a successful outcome
Still, flat feet surgery carries risks. Here are the disadvantages of the treatment:
Increase risk of blood clots, nerve damage, and infection
Long, painful recovery process lasting 6 to 8 weeks
Possibility the operation will not achieve success, e.g., bones don't heal correctly
What to expect from flat foot surgery?
The flat foot surgery procedure depends on the underlying cause and your anatomy. There are several types of corrective surgeries:
Fusions. The joint is fused together to prevent pain and deformity.
Osteotomy. Bone is removed and slid into other locations.
Tendon transfer. A tendon is moved between bones to help reduce any deformity.
Almost all types of flat foot surgery occur under general anesthesia and require a prolonged recovery period of 6 weeks or more.
