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Flat foot surgery

What is flat foot surgery?

This surgery is designed to correct the foot’s alignment, ease any pain and ensure even weight distribution when walking or standing.

What does flat foot surgery involve?

The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic, with a post-operative local anaesthetic administered to minimise pain. Normally it requires several procedures, notably repair of the tendons and ligaments supporting the arch and reshaping bone to renew the arch.

In a procedure called tibialis posterior tendon reconstruction, the damaged tendon on the instep is taken away and replaced by another tendon in your foot. Usually, a further procedure known as calcaneal osteotomy is also performed: this is when the surgeon makes an incision in the heel bone and refixes it with a very small metal screw and, on occasion, a metal plate is inserted too to ensure the arch of the foot is properly supported.

Attending a pre-assessment screening is good way of maximising the benefits of your surgery. At your screening, you’ll have your blood tested to assess your Vitamin D levels; swabs will be taken to check for infection or other issues; you’ll be weighed and have a chance to talk through your medical history, to highlight any potential anaesthetics issues.

It is highly recommended that you stop smoking at least eight weeks before surgery because smoking affects your ability to heal and leads to health issues, such as greater risk of pulmonary embolism (blood clots forming in the lungs) or deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the calf).

Flat foot surgery

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