What is flat foot surgery?
Flat foot surgery will differ by patient need, but the goal is essentially to repair the soft tissue and bone structure in order to renew the foot arch and create better foot support. It can combine several procedures:
- Tendon replacement – Where the damaged tendon is removed and replaced by another.
- Osteotomy – Where the heel bone is cut and reinforced.
- Fusion – Where the joints are fused together for greater support.
If your tissues and ligaments don’t naturally tighten up and support your foot arch as you grow, it can result in painful flat feet later on in life. This condition is often caused by poor footwear, wear and tear, or simply genetics. With little or no space underneath the arch of the foot, patients can experience painful symptoms including swelling, nerve damage, numbness and tingling, loss of flexibility and arthritis. In severe cases where physiotherapy and foot support are ineffective, your doctor may recommend flat foot surgery.
General recovery times
Most patients return home the day of the procedure. Your foot will be held in place by a cast for the first few weeks after the operation to allow for full healing, and you may find it helpful to use crutches or a wheelchair to get around. When the cast is removed, your doctor will provide an orthopaedic boot that keeps your foot safely in position and well protected as you become more active. It is not advisable to put any weight on your foot for up to 6 weeks, or as directed by your doctor.
Once you can bear weight, you can use your own shoes with customised inner-soles and from 12 weeks onwards you should be back to normal footwear. Driving may not be possible for the first 6 weeks, and your doctor will advise when it is safe to do so. A return to sport should be possible between 6-12 months after surgery. You may be prescribed some physiotherapy exercises and a full recovery could take 1-2 years.
Other foot surgeries and procedures
Common foot conditions
How much will my foot surgery cost?
Understanding the cost of your treatment is an important consideration before committing to surgery, but it’s not always easy to find the information you need. Learn more about the factors which contribute to the cost of your surgery:
What will my treatment and recovery look like?
Familiarising yourself with your treatment program and understanding the recovery process are important steps to take on the pathway to surgery.
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