Flatfoot Reconstruction

When it is absolutely necessary, our Bloomington, IN podiatric team can provide the effective foot surgery you need. Fortunately, we are able to successfully address most of your lower limb issues using nonsurgical care. Some of the more common surgical corrections we perform are for deformities like bunions and hammertoes. In the case of flatfoot, surgery tends to be quite rare. There are instances, though, when flatfoot reconstruction surgery is our recommended course of action.

Understanding the Flatfoot Condition

Let’s start by taking a look at the condition, and particularly with the symptoms you might be experiencing from it.

The most clear-cut indication of flatfoot is feet that do not have arches of a normal height. Now, you are most likely to look at your feet from a bird’s-eye view. From this perspective, it can be difficult to actually see your arches (unless you lean to the side a bit). If seeing your foot arches while standing is tricky, there are two other ways of telling if you have flatfoot:

1. Examine the wear pattern of your shoes. If your feet are flat, you are more likely to overpronate – an excessive inward rolling motion during a normal step. Overpronation leads to increased force on the inner edge of the foot. Accordingly, you will notice greater wear on the inner edge of the bottom of your shoes than on the outer edges.
2. Take the “wet test.” Perhaps even better is to use this simple test to identify your arch style. Place a sheet of heavy paper on the ground (dry pavement also works well if it is warm outside), fill up a baking pan (one that is big enough to fit your foot) with a shallow amount of water, and then place it on the ground. Take off your sock and shoe from one of your feet, get the bottom wet, and then take a step on the heavy paper or pavement. If the print you leave behind shows the entire width of your foot—instead of the front and back sections bridged by about half the width of your foot—you have flat feet.

This particular condition can be caused by a congenital (present at birth) deformity, damage to the tendon responsible for supporting the arch, or arthritis in the joints around the heel.

Depending on your case, flatfoot might cause symptoms like foot pain—especially in the arch and heel areas—and swelling along the inside of your ankle. The pain will typically become worse with physical activity. Not all cases of flatfoot display any symptoms. If this applies to you, you will definitely not need flatfoot reconstruction surgery, and probably not even nonsurgical care.

Regarding nonsurgical care, we will exhaust the following options before recommending surgery:

• Rest
• Ice
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics

Flatfoot Reconstructive Surgery

Whereas most cases are effectively resolved with nonsurgical care, there are instances when surgery is the best course of treatment to relieve your pain and restore proper foot function. In these instances, we will start by evaluating your feet to determine if arches are flexible or stiff. We also use diagnostic imaging to carefully create the surgical plan for you.

We may use either general or regional anesthesia, depending on several variables. No matter which we use, you can rest assured knowing we choose it for your optimal comfort. A safe, pain-free procedure is always our goal for you!

There are several procedures that might be used to correct a flatfoot condition and, again, this will depend on variables relating specifically to you. Regardless as to which procedure(s) we perform, the end result is improved mobility and the pain relief you need.

Whereas some major surgeries entail length hospital stays, this is not the case of flatfoot surgery. At most, you may be required to stay overnight, but it is more likely you will go home the day of your procedure. An important consideration is to make sure you have a ride lined up.

For additional information about any facet of flatfoot care, including reconstructive flatfoot surgery, simply give our Bloomington, IN podiatrist office a call at (812) 333-4422. We will be glad to answer any questions and help you set up an appointment with us.