Flatfoot Correction

 Adult-acquired flatfoot or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction usually leads to a gradual loss of the arch. The posterior tibial muscle is a deep muscle in the back of the calf and has a long tendon that extends from above the ankle and attaches into several sites around the arch of the foot. The muscle acts like a stirrup on the inside of the foot to help support the arch. The posterior tibial muscle stabilizes the arch and creates a rigid platform for walking and running. If the posterior tibial tendon becomes damaged or tears, the arch loses its stability and as a result, collapses, causing a flatfoot. Surgery is often performed to give the patient a more functional and stable foot. Several procedures may be required to correct a flatfoot deformity, depending on the severity of the problem. These may include:

Tenosynovectomy—a procedure to clean away (debridement) and remove any of the inflamed tissue around the tendon.Osteotomy—removal of a portion of the heel bone (calcaneus) to move the foot structure back into alignment.Tendon Transfer—in which replacement fibers from another tendon are inserted to help repair damage.Lateral Column Lengthening—A procedure that implants a small piece of bone, usually removed from the hip, outside of the heel bone to create the proper bone alignment and rebuild the arch.Arthrodesis—Fusing of one or more bones together to eliminate any joint movement, which stabilizes the foot and prevents any further deterioration or damage.

If flatfeet are causing you pain and preventing you from doing what you love, visit Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic. Contact our offices in Universal City, Texas right outside of San Antonio, or in Pleasanton, TX by calling (210) 375-3318 or writing to us online to have your flatfeet inspected and treated by Dr. Darren Silvester.