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    Guide to Flat Feet

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    Guide to Flat Feet

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    Guide to Flat Feet

    Uploaded by

    13692273873
    1 views2 pages
    Guide to Flat Feet

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Guide to Flat Feet

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    1 views2 pages

    Guide to Flat Feet

    Uploaded by

    13692273873
    Guide to Flat Feet

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    A Guide To

    Flat Feet in Adults

    Adult flat foot surgery at a glance


    You will need to stay in hospital for
    up to three days
    Complications occur in about
    one in 20 cases after surgery
    You won’t be able to drive for
    between eight and twelve weeks

    You will need a walking aid for six Up to one in 10 people may not
    to twelve weeks after surgery be happy with their surgery

    What are flat feet?


    Most feet have a space on the inner side where the bottom of the foot is off the ground;
    this is known as the "arch" of the foot. The height of this arch varies from one person to
    another. Small children do not have an arch; it develops between the ages of 3 and 10.
    People who have a low arch,or no arch at all, are said to have ‘flat feet.’

    What causes flat feet?


    They may be entirely normal or relate to an underlying disorder. In cases where it is
    normal, flat feet may run in the family, have a similar appearance on both feet and
    remain reasonably supple. Rarely, it is caused when the foot formed in the womb; a joint
    may be malformed or two or more bones may be fused together. These feet are stiff and
    flat, and the problem is usually obvious in childhood.

    Occasionally a flat foot develops later in adult life. This may be due to a ruptured tendon
    (the tibialis posterior tendon), ligament, arthritis or an injury causing stiffness and
    distortion of the joints of the foot.

    Some people with diseases of the nervous system or muscles such as cerebral palsy,
    spina bifida or muscular dystrophy may develop flat feet because some of their muscles
    are weak and their muscles do not work well together. Their feet are usually stiff and the
    deformity tends to get worse with time.

    What are the common symptoms?


    Most flat feet cause no symptoms. Some people get an ache in the arch, or around the
    ankle. Shoes may wear out quickly. If there is an underlying disorder that develops in
    adulthood, then the foot may change shape by becoming more flat and sometime the heel
    may not sit in the correct place.
    When should I consult a healthcare professional?
    Most flat feet cause no trouble and do not need treatment. You may consider consulting
    your GP or other healthcare professional if:
    Your feet cause you a lot of pain that is not helped by wearing well-fitted shoes.
    Your shoes wear out very quickly.
    Your foot or feet seem to be getting flatter.
    Your feet seem very stiff.
    You cannot feel your feet normally, or they seem weak.

    What treatments are there for flat feet?


    The choice of treatment depends upon the underlying cause and the severity of
    symptoms. If you have mild symptoms and the foot is supple, then insoles that support
    the arch can help. This can be supplemented with physiotherapy to help stretch the
    Achilles tendon and strengthen some of the muscles in your legs. If you have more
    severe symptoms, then the foot and ankle may need to supported in a splint or
    removable boot.

    If your symptoms continue despite trying non-surgical management, then surgery may
    be needed. The type of surgery is dependent upon the underlying cause and whether
    you have arthritis in your joints.

    Benefits of flat foot surgery


    The outcome of surgery is usually good but it doesn’t mean that all the people who have
    the surgery will be completely pain free. In most patients, the main benefits are:
    Relief or improvement of pain and disability.
    Greater independence and activity levels.

    Risks of ankle flat foot surgery


    As with any surgery, there are associated risks. If you are overweight, smoke or are not
    active, you are at greater risk of developing complications after surgery and it may take
    longer to recover. You may want to discuss this with your GP or health professional what
    you can do before surgery. The individual risks vary according to the type of surgery but
    include:

    Stiffness or persistent pain in the foot or ankle.


    Nerves may be damaged in very few cases, which could lead to chronic pain that is
    worse than the pain before surgery.
    There is a very low risk of a blood clot forming in the leg which is also known as a deep
    vein thrombosis (DVT). The main danger of this complication is that the clot travels to
    the lungs which can be fatal.
    Infections will occur in a few patients. They can often be treated by antibiotics.
    Occasionally, wounds can become more deeply infected and require further surgery.
    Further progression of deformity can happen which may require additional surgery.

    It is important to remember that most complications are minor and can be easily and
    successfully treated.

    Useful links

    www.bofas.org.uk/Find-a-Doctor
    www.nhs.uk/conditions/flat-feet

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