When is operative treatment of flat feet necessary?

The most severe cases or severe congenital deformities are the only ones that warrant surgical treatment. The issues are entirely resolved by this course of treatment. There are numerous operative treatment methods, and nowadays less invasive techniques are being used more and more. The most common procedures today involve stabilizing the subtalar joint and repositioning the talonavicular joint. It’s also important to note that, if the patient arrives on time, surgical techniques are minimally invasive. The recovery period is then shorter overall. A minimally invasive procedure is used to perform the surgery, which corrects excessive pronation by moving the talonavicular joint and inserting an implant there. The implant is more precisely positioned in the sinus tarsi, a canal that runs between the ankle and heel bones. There are several types of implants available, and they are all made to respect the tarsi canal’s anatomical features. Titanium is the substance used to make the implants. Even though it happens very rarely, the titanium implant can be removed if the pain persists after installation. The procedure itself takes only 15 minutes to complete, and the skin cut is only 1 cm in length. There is very little tissue trauma, which reduces the risk of infection. With this procedure, the foot’s hyperpronation is corrected, all motions are preserved, and there are no adverse effects, such as decreased overall mobility.

The age at which the procedure is carried out is an important fact to be aware of. If the procedure is not postponed too long, especially before adolescence, the best results will be obtained. Because bones are still growing during childhood and adolescence, they have a better chance of adapting and being corrected. Additionally, new deformities that can occasionally make the procedure more difficult did not appear. You should consider a potential surgical procedure because issues can arise in later years, especially when standing for extended periods of time or participating in sports.

Recovery

Almost no recovery is necessary after surgery. There is no requirement to place the foot in a plastic boot or use plaster after the procedure. The procedure is frequently carried out simultaneously on both legs. On the second day, the patient is able to walk independently, and the arches are permanently fixed. To correct the feet, you don’t need to keep wearing orthopedic insoles or shoes. More than 90% of patients who underwent this course of therapy attested that all complaints, including leg pain and fatigue, subsided. It is advised to take non-steroidal pain relievers like ibuprofen, paracetamol, and ketoprofen after surgery.
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