Flatfoot Surgery Main Description

For painful flatfoot where foot orthotics (insoles) have been unsuccessful, corrective surgery can be performed. In our centre we offer the keyhole flatfoot surgery technique using the Hyprocure stent. This removes the need for painful, major open bone and joint surgery traditionally used to correct this condition. The surgery can also be safely undertaken under a local anaesthetic.

In some cases you will require additional procedures; for example if there is significant tendon damage, severe Achilles tendon shortening or arthritis in the midfoot or hindfoot area. X-rays and additional scans such as MRI may be required. Our consultant has over 20-years surgical experience in corrective flatfoot surgery. The consultation will cover the condition, how the correction is undertaken, rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery requirements and the risks of the surgery.

Flat Foot Quotes

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MRS L D, NOTTINGHAM:

"I was over the moon with the service provided, Mr Hargrave was fantastic ! I am healing well and the scar has almost disappeared after only 3 months. Would thoroughly recommend this centre."

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Many patients have a low arch when standing.

Many patients have a low arch when standing.

Many patients have a low arch when standing, but this doesn't necessarily mean that treatment is required. However, many patients will develop pain in association with a flatfoot where the mid and rearfoot (hindfoot) joints become collapsed and misaligned and the soft-tissues such as ligaments and tendons become over-stretched and inflamed. There are several causes with names such as collapsing pes valgo planus (CPVP), tibialis posterior dysfunction and hyper or over-pronation. Rarely, children can be born with hindfoot bones misaligned (e.g. vertical talus) and bones that are joined together, which should be separate (tarsal coalitions). These tend to cause a very inflexible or rigid flatfoot.

The majority of presenting flatfoot conditions seen in our clinics are "adult acquired”, with a non-rigid or flexible deformity.

Symptoms

Symptoms

Flat Foot

May present in a variety of ways, ranging from arch pain, swelling and pain under the ankle bone with joint pain in the arch. Poor function and early fatigue when walking, particularly in children are also frequent symptoms due to the inefficiency of the locomotor system. In this condition the flattening or over-pronation causes the leg muscles to over-work when walking or exercising. Pain can also be higher up above the foot, for example in the knee joint, hip joint or lower back due to the general poor posture which over-rotates the leg inwards. Tightness of the Achilles tendon and calf-muscle can also lead to collapse of the arch and genu valgum (knock-knees) genu varum (bow-legs) can all cause the foot to collapse down.

Flat Foot Patients

Flat Foot Patients

  • To show repair of collapsed flatfoot before surgery (left picture) and 7-months after surgery (right picture)
  • Full restoration of this collapsed arch was achieved with the Hyprocure here. Picture on the right is 20-months after surgery. The internal rotation of the leg causing knee pain, was also resolved.
  • Before (left) and after (right) Hyprocure surgery for flexible flatfoor. Note the leaning (valgus) heel is corrected to a straight position now.

Types Of Surgery

Types Of Surgery

Flatfoot surgery has changed enormously over the last 30-years. More complex surgeries such as heel bone surgery (osteotomies) and joint fusions, still have their place and are widely practiced around the world, but these are high-risk invasive surgeries, with long recoveries and prominent scarring.

The Hyprocure (HyProCure) Stent – keyhole surgery

The Hyprocure procedure is a minimally invasive surgery, with a total surgery time of approximately 15-20 minutes, through a small incision below the outside ankle bone. Patients can be back to normal walking within a few weeks.

The small titanium stent is inserted into the sinus tarsi, correcting the flat foot at its root by keeping the sinus tarsi (between the talus and calcaneus in the hindfoot) in a stable open position. This stops your ankle bone from sliding forward over your heel bone, which causes the foot to collapse down. The procedure also helps the rest of your body in its natural alignment.

After Surgery

After Surgery

You will have some degree of pain and swelling and the swelling usually persists for several months. We find patients benefit from wearing a protective walker boot for a month or so afterwards. Return to work may be as little as 2-weeks depending on how much weight-bearing/walking you do at work.

Some patients report the feeling of having a sprained ankle, which is normal and should settle with time. Patients don’t usually need an in-shoe orthotic afterwards, but if you feel like you need the support, we can provide this.

Some patients don’t tolerate the implant and the procedure can be reversed by removing the implant. Sometimes there is excessive inflammation around the implant and a cortisone injection may be required to settle this down.

In some cases, additional procedure may be required such as Achilles tendon lengthening and / or repair of damaged tendons and ligaments along the inside arch of the foot. If this is suspected at assessment, additional scans apart from the normal x-rays required; such as ultrasound or MRI scans, may be necessary.

 

Call us today on0207 870 1076

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