Flat Foot Treatment in Orange County

Pes planus (flat foot) is the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. It can be flexible or rigid and it results in relative flattening of the plantar surface. The condition may be lifelong, or acquired through time, inflammation, or other musculoskeletal problems. Treatment for flat feet in Orange County is generally only needed if the condition is new, painful or progressing, or when there is a fixed deformity or other associated problem. Our Podiatrist / Foot and Ankle Surgeon in Orange County can help with your flat foot deformity in Orange County at our Irvine, CA, Huntington Beach, CA, Newport Beach, CA, or Orange, CA offices.

 

Pes planus may occur in up to 20% of adults, many of whom are flexible and have no resulting difficulties. It is also common in young children, who typically have a minimal longitudinal arch with forefoot pronation and heel valgus on weight-bearing. Most children develop a normal longitudinal arch by the age of 10 years.

 

The posterior tibial tendon helps hold up your arch and provides support as you push off your toes when walking. If this tendon becomes inflamed, overstretched, or torn you may experience pain on the inner ankle. You may gradually lose the inner arch on the bottom of your foot, leading to flatfoot. 

 

Signs

• Pain and swelling on the inside of the ankle.

• Loss of the arch and the development of a flat foot.

• Gradual development of pain on the outer side of the ankle or foot.

• Weakness and an inability to stand on the toes.

• Tenderness over the midfoot, especially when under stress during activity.

 

Causes of Flat Feet (pes planus)

Progressive flatfoot is often due to an inherent abnormality of the tendon. Some people are born with a flat foot type, which may or may not become symtomatic.  In addition, there are several other risk factors, including:  

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• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Previous surgery or trauma, such as an ankle fracture on the inner side of the foot.

• Local steroid injections

• Inflammatory diseases such as Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylosing arthropathy, and psoriasis

• Athletes who are involved in sports such as basketball, tennis, soccer, or hockey may tear the posterior tibial tendon. The tendon may also become inflamed if excessive force is placed on the foot, such as when running on unlevel terrain.  

 

Conservative Treatment of Flat Feet in Orange County

Initial treatment may consist of supportive inserts and shoe gear, custom bracing, immobization, casting, and physical therapy. If conservative treatment options are not successful in alleviating your painful symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery.

 

Surgical Treatment of Flat Feet in Orange County

Several procedures can be used to treat progressive flatfoot; often more than one procedure is performed at the same time. Our Orange County Foot and Ankle Surgeon / Orange County Podiatrist will recommend a specific course of treatment based on your individual case. Surgical options for flat foot correction in Orange County include: 

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• Tenosynovectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon will clean away (debride) and remove (excise) any inflamed tissue surrounding the tendon.

• Osteotomy: This procedure changes the alignment of the heel bone (calcaneus). The surgeon may sometimes have to remove a portion of the bone.

• Tendon transfer: This procedure uses some fibers from another tendon (the flexor digitorum longus, which helps bend the toes) to repair the damaged posterior tibial tendon.

• Lateral column lengthening: In this procedure, the surgeon places a small wedge-shaped bone graft  it into the outside of the calcaneus. This helps to realign the bones and recreates the arch.

• Arthrodesis: This procedure welds (fuses) one or more bones together, eliminating movement in the joint. This stabilizes the hindfoot, decreases pain, and prevents the condition from progressing further. ​

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Please contact our office in Irvine, Orange, Newport Beach, or Huntington Beach in Orange County, CA to make an appointment with our foot and ankle surgeon / podiatrist (Dr. Coyer) to have your flat foot deformity in Orange County fully evaluated.