Flat feet are where you don't have the normal arches in your feet. It's prevalent in babies and children but can carry into adulthood.
Loose tendons are the root cause of flat feet and happen when they don't form properly. Although they can be a genetic condition, other medical problems may also lead to flat feet.
Some people don't have any symptoms related to flat feet, but if you do, you may need flat foot reconstruction surgery. Although it's not the first line of treatment, when you're having pain or other symptoms, it may be the only option for permanent relief.
If you're ready to take the next step and finally relieve symptoms related to flat feet, Dr. David Ball offers podiatry treatments like flat foot reconstruction surgery at the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico in Roswell, New Mexico.
Your feet should have a defined arch that supports your feet and the rest of your body. If you have flat feet, you have no visible arch when standing or sitting.
Every baby is born with flat feet, but the arches typically develop by age six. If the tendons don't tighten to form the arch of the feet, the child may end up with flat feet in adulthood.
Some adults can develop flat feet later in life if their arches fall. Not everyone has symptoms or problems with flat feet, but if they do, it often requires treatment.
Four main types of flat feet affect children and adults, including:
Genetics is sometimes the culprit behind flat feet, especially when the tendons don't tighten to form the arch. However, other medical problems can lead to flat feet in adults, some of which include:
While most people don't experience any symptoms with flat feet, others experience severe pain, leg cramps, gait changes, and muscle pain.
Surgery isn't the first option for most people with flat feet — but it may be an option when you have uncomfortable symptoms, and other treatments haven't helped. Dr. Ball discusses your choices at your appointment.
During flat foot reconstruction surgery, Dr. Ball repairs your foot's bones, tendons, and ligaments to form an arch.
Reconstructive surgery can vary from person to person, depending on the symptoms you're experiencing, what's causing your flat feet, and other factors in your ankles and feet. For example, Dr. Ball could perform a tendon transfer to form a definitive arch, osteotomy to remove bone and replace it in other parts of the foot, or joint fusion to eliminate pain.
Flat foot reconstruction surgery is a relatively low-risk procedure that offers permanent results and reduces painful symptoms related to flat feet.
You need anesthesia during flat foot reconstruction surgery. Plan to stay in the hospital for at least one night after surgery for pain control and to ensure you don't have any complications from anesthesia.
Depending on the type of surgery you need, Dr. Ball uses minimally invasive techniques or an open procedure to remove the problematic tendon and replace it with another from your foot.
He may also need to place a bone graft in the middle of the foot to help form the arch or fuse the joint to keep the bones from shifting. Joint fusion sometimes requires bone grafting to help the bones heal after surgery.
Dr. Ball often uses metal plates and screws during flat foot reconstruction to ensure your foot stays in proper alignment and the arch is secure.
You have a cast for several weeks while the tendons and bones heal.
Physical therapy is a vital aspect of healing after flat foot reconstruction surgery. It may take up to a year to fully heal after this procedure.
If you live with flat feet and need help, don't hesitate to call us to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on the website.
