Flat Foot Surgery Perth

Flat foot, also known as a collapsed arch or pes planus, is a condition that effects many Australians. It is not always symptomatic and people with “flat feet” can usually undertake all daily activities, experiencing no ill effects. However, sometimes the architecture of a flat foot can limit activities and cause pain and impact on quality of life.¹ Issues associated with flat feet can manifest at any stage of life and usually involve the heel, large 1^st toe joint or even the medial arch itself. Conditions associated with a flat foot architecture, for example classic bunions or tibialis posterior tendon injury, often require specific treatment, but options do exist for correcting the flat foot structure as well.

Flat feet can be evident in childhood and parents can be concerned about their children’s feet “falling in”. In general, all children under the age of 8 have flattened, flexible arches when they stand.² After the age of 10, foot architecture begins to settle into the position it will adopt throughout life and this can cause issues if the arch and hindfoot adopts a flattened position. Often heel pain and ankle sprains can begin to appear frequently in this group.

Treatment can be conservative with external support or surgical via internal implants (HyProCure®) or osteotomies. All procedures aim to support the foot and reduce the collapse of the arch. If there is pain and discomfort associated with an appreciably flat foot it should be examined by a Podiatrist or Podiatric Surgeon who are exclusively trained foot and ankle specialists. Dr Pocklington (Podiatric Surgeon) can provide expert assessment and treatment of problematic flat foot.

Flat foot can be treated conservatively or with surgical correction. It is important to consider conservative treatment before pursuing surgical options, because often conservative treatment is all that is needed to alleviate symptoms.

Dr Pocklington is both a Podiatric Surgeon (foot and ankle specialist surgeon) and trained podiatrist with extensive understanding of the form and function of the foot before and after surgery. This includes consideration of conservative as well as surgical intervention and the overall function (biomechanics of your foot).

Conservative care for problematic flat feet includes accommodation and support with shoe modification, custom orthoses, intrinsic muscles strengthening, as well as taping and strapping and more. While the architecture of your foot cannot be corrected via conservative measures, comfort and function can be maximised without the need for surgical intervention. Dr Pocklington (Podiatric Surgeon) can fully assess your feet to determine which treatment is best for you.

If conservative measures are not able to alleviate your discomfort, if there is significant pain due to pain in your heel or arch that is interfering with you being active surgical intervention should be considered.

The goal of surgery in the case of flat foot is to restore and maximise function in the foot. Because a flat foot architecture is associated with compensation in other areas of the foot, often flat foot surgery is performed at the same time as other procedures, for example bunion surgery, and may be suggested as an adjunct procedure to improve surgical outcomes. Often in these cases an implant is used, the HyProCure® device.

The key result is reduction or resolution of pain and a healthy return to normal activities and footwear. As a Podiatric Surgeon, Dr Pocklington is a foot and ankle specialist trained extensively in procedures used to treat problematic flat foot and can assist you in deciding whether surgery is right for you.

The most common form of flat foot surgery provided by Dr Pocklington (Podiatric Surgeon) involves the insertion of a HyProCure® implant into the ankle. This is a minimal invasive surgery procedure and involves only a small incision on the outside of the ankle.

A small device is inserted into the ankle via a natural portal known as the sinus tarsi. Once the device is in place it acts as a doorstop, reducing the excessive range of motion that often causes the foot to fall inwards and flatten. While the device can be removed if necessary, it is designed to be left in place permanent and provide long term arch correction and symptom relief.

The HyProCure® procedure does not involve any drilling, screwing or cutting of bone or significant injury to tissue, allowing you to return to normal activity with minimal down time.

A HyProCure® procedure is usually a day procedure allowing you to immediately weight bear on your foot in a stiff sole surgical shoe. Sometimes people stay overnight at a private hospital and return home the following day.

Significant pain after a HyProCure® procedure is rare, but when necessary pain relief usually involves a combination of painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Paracetamol is generally all that is required within the first week.

Recovery and return to normal activities usually occurs between 3 and 4 weeks, but weight bearing is possible immediately. Depending on work or schooling requirements time away from commitments is recommended for 2 to 3 weeks only. Dressings are removed and replaced at 1 week, giving you an opportunity to see your progress and discuss it with Dr Pocklington. Sutures are usually removed at 2 weeks. The process of healing after surgery is important and requires ongoing attention from your surgeon. A podiatric range of motion exercise and stretching rehabilitation program begins immediately to ensure function is returned to the foot and your life as soon as possible.

Please book online to speak with Dr Pocklington (Podiatric Surgeon) about HyProCure® and flat foot correction.