Flat Foot Surgery

Flat feet lead to a host of complications, ranging from an improper gait to eventual disability when walking becomes too painful. Flat feet are either genetic or acquired. Treatment for flat feet usually entails lifestyle changes, new shoes or inserts and physical therapy. But when conservative treatments fail to provide you with sufficient relief, turn to the flat foot expert at Premier Podiatry in Clifton, New Jersey: Dr. Velimir Petkov. He provides the most effective treatment for your specific needs. Call foot doctors in Clifton today for an appointment.

Flat foot refers to a condition in which the arch of the foot is flattened, which causes the entire sole of your foot to touch the ground. It’s a common condition that’s also called fallen arches, and for most people, it’s painless. Flat feet can gradually get worse over several years, however, as your foot muscles and ligaments weaken. Flat feet contribute to problems in your ankles and knees. When you do feel pain from flat feet, it’s usually in the arch or heel area. It may worsen with activity.

All babies are born with flat feet, but the condition usually corrects naturally by the age of three, although sometimes the deformity is permanent. An adult-acquired flatfoot deformity is a severe type of flat foot that can eventually cause intense foot pain and difficulty with mobility.

Several surgical procedures are available to treat severe flat foot. These procedures correct the misalignment that’s developed in your foot. If you have flat feet that tire easily, are hard to move or are causing you pain, have your feet examined by Dr. Velimir Petkov at the podiatry center in New Jersey to get the proper treatment for your unique problems.

Treatment Options for Flat Feet

Dr. Petkov, an expert foot doctor in Clifton, usually treats flat feet — even if they’re causing discomfort — using conservative methods at first. Non-surgical treatment options include:

• Orthotics. Adding an orthotic insert in your shoe provides much-needed arch support and pain relief.
• Orthopedic footwear. Your doctor may recommend an orthopedic shoe to reduce impact and pressure on your foot. Once you receive a firm diagnosis, Dr. Petkov recommends the best brands.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, helps reduce pain and inflammation. Your podiatrist may prescribe stronger pain relievers on a short-term basis.
• Ice. You may be able to get some relief from swelling or pain by applying ice packs for 20 minutes several times a day.

Discontinue any activities that cause your foot to hurt. Get into the habit of completely resting your feet for as long as possible to promote healing after you’ve been standing for a long period of time.

Request For ConsultationBOOK CONSULTATION

Types of Foot Surgery for Flat Feet

When flat feet become debilitating or the conservative treatments haven’t worked, your Clifton, NJ podiatrist may recommend flat foot surgery. Surgery, even minimally invasive foot surgery, is only done for the most severe cases of flat foot, but the procedures can provide pain relief.

There are several different types of flat foot surgery. The best type of flat foot reconstruction surgery for you depends on the cause of your condition, your general health and your podiatrist’s recommendations. You may have your surgery in your doctor’s office under a local anesthesia or in a hospital under general anesthesia. Several types of foot surgery for flat feet include:

• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. When the tendon connecting the calf to the foot is inflamed or torn, reconstruction involves repairing or replacing the tendon by:
  • Lengthening your Achilles tendon
  • Cleaning up the tendon to remove any tissue that’s swollen
  • Cutting and shifting bones to recreate an arch
  • Transferring a tendon from a different part of your foot
• Reconstruction after injury. If the ligaments of your foot are injured, they may not be able to provide proper support, leading to a fallen arch. Surgery realigns the bones or adds an implant to restore height in the damaged foot.
• Diabetic collapse. Damage to the foot from diabetes occurs because of nerve damage. Surgery for this condition involves fusion and repositioning of the bones.

Flat Foot Reconstruction Surgery Recovery

A combination of factors contributes to fallen arches. Dr. Petkov evaluates whether there’s damage to bones, tendons or ligaments to determine which surgical procedures you need. After your surgery, your podiatrist needs to elevate your foot over the next couple of weeks. Closely follow his suggestions for rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery.

After flat foot surgery, your leg is placed in a cast or splint. You can’t put weight on that leg for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy includes stretching, strengthening and flexibility exercises to help you regain full mobility. To prevent further injury, consider lifestyle changes such as weight loss and gait instruction.

Expert Help for Flat Feet

If you have flat feet that are causing discomfort, talk to a podiatrist to get back to your previous level of activity. Flat feet put increased stress on the ligaments and tendons of your feet, ankles and knees. Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, contribute to inflammation and poor circulation, increasing the risk of developing fallen arches or a flat foot deformity.

Contact Premier Podiatry today for an expert evaluation. Dr. Petkov has access to the latest diagnostic equipment and techniques to resolve foot pain, ankle pain or toe pain.

Premier Podiatry: Velimir Petkov, DPM

☎(973) 315-5555

Give Us A Call Today 973-315-5555