Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery Specialist

What is flatfoot reconstruction surgery?

Flatfoot reconstruction surgery is a surgical repair to rebuild the arches in your feet. There are several different types of flatfoot reconstruction surgery, and the team at New York City Ankle & Foot evaluates the structure of your feet before planning their approach. They might use X-rays and other forms of diagnostic imaging to view the positioning of the bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons in your feet. They also make sure that your arches are flexible, not stiff, so that the surgery will be successful.

During your flatfoot reconstruction surgery, your surgeon might remove, extend, or repair tendons, reconstruct bones with bone grafts, or insert implants to heighten the arches. They might also use metal plates and screws to realign your bones and remove them during a later surgery. Your approach depends on the cause of your flat feet and the symptoms associated with them. 

What does a flatfoot reconstruction surgery treat?

Flatfoot reconstruction surgery is a treatment for flat feet that the team at New York City Ankle & Foot uses when conservative measures aren’t effective. There are many reasons why your arches might be flat: it could be a natural feature present from birth or the result of an injury or condition. Common causes of flat feet include:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that makes your ligaments and cartilage inflamed, painful, and stiff. During surgery, the team removes inflamed tissue and might fuse joints with a bone graft to realign your foot. 

Injuries

If you injure ligaments or tendons in your feet, the joints don’t get the support they need and can fall out of place. Surgery for injuries usually involves screws, plates, and implants for temporary support as your foot heals. 

Diabetic collapse

Because of nerve damage associated with diabetes, the bones in your feet can collapse and cause flat feet, and you won’t feel it happen. Over time, with continued walking and standing, the condition can worsen and get harder to repair with surgery.

What should I expect during recovery after flatfoot reconstruction surgery?

After flatfoot reconstruction surgery, most patients can go home the same day. The team tells you if you need to spend a night in the hospital after your surgery for any reason. 

For two weeks after your surgery, your foot and leg are in a cast, and you should keep them elevated. The team at New York City Ankle & Foot removes the cast and the stitches after the two weeks and replaces them with a supportive boot. You must continue to avoid putting your weight on your foot for six to eight weeks. After that time, your surgeon instructs you about when you can start walking normally with or without a brace. Complete recovery might take up to one year. 

For more information about flatfoot reconstruction surgery, call the office or book an appointment online today.