How We Treat Flat Feet
What is a Flat Foot?
Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is a progressive flattening of the arch of the foot. This flattening occurs as the posterior tibial tendon (a tendon in your lower leg) wears down. AAFD has many other names such as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, and dorsolateral peritalar subluxation. This problem may progress from early stages with pain and swelling along the posterior tibial tendon to complete arch collapse and arthritis throughout the hindfoot (back of the foot) and ankle.
Anatomy
The posterior tibial muscle originates on the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula). This muscle then turns into the posterior tibial tendon, which passes behind the inside of the ankle and attaches to the navicular bone along the instep of the foot. The posterior tibial tendon plays a central role in maintaining the arch of the foot when you stand and walk.
In addition to tendons running across the ankle and foot joints, a number of ligaments span and stabilize these joints. The ligaments at the inside of the ankle also can become stretched and contribute to the progressive flattening of the arch.
Several muscles and tendons around the ankle and foot act to counter-balance the action of the posterior tibial tendon. Under normal circumstances, the result is a balanced ankle and foot with normal motion. When the posterior tibial tendon fails, the other muscles and tendons become relatively overpowering. These muscles then contribute to the progressive deformity seen with this disorder.
Symptoms
Patients with AAFD often experience pain, deformity, and/or swelling at the ankle or hindfoot. When the posterior tibial tendon does not work properly, a number of changes can occur to the foot and ankle. In early stages, symptoms often include pain and swelling along the posterior tibial tendon behind the inside of the ankle.
As the tendon fails over time, deformity of the foot and ankle may occur. This deformity can include:
progressive flattening of the arch
outward shifting of the heel so that it no longer is aligned underneath the rest of the leg
rotational deformity of the forefoot
tightening of the heel cord
development of arthritis
deformity of the ankle joint
At certain stages of this disorder, pain may shift from the inside to the outside of the ankle as the heel shifts outward and structures are pinched on the outside of the ankle.
Causes
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is the most common cause of AAFD. Often there is no specific event or injury that starts the problem. More commonly, the tendon is injured from "wear and tear" over time. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction occurs more commonly in patients who are born with a flat foot or who develop the condition for other reasons. With a relatively flat arch, more stress is placed on the posterior tibial tendon and also on the ligaments on the inside of the foot and ankle. The result is a progressive disorder. Weight also plays a role in the progression of this disorder. For overweight patients, significant weight loss may lead to some improvement of symptoms.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and AAFD usually is made from a combination of symptoms, physical exam and X-rays. Dr. Reichard will look at the location of the pain, shape of your foot, flexibility of the hindfoot joints, and how you walk to make the diagnosis and assess how advanced the problem is.
Treatments
Treatment depends very much upon a patient's symptoms, goals, severity of deformity, and the presence of arthritis. Some patients get better without surgery. Rest and immobilization, orthotics, braces, and physical therapy all may be appropriate.
With early-stage disease that involves pain along the tendon, immobilization with a boot for a period of time can relieve stress on the tendon and reduce the inflammation and pain. Once these symptoms have resolved, patients may transition to using an arch support or orthotic that supports the inside of the hindfoot. For patients with a more significant deformity, a larger ankle brace may be necessary. Non-surgical treatments for more advanced stages of AAFD may slow the progression of the disorder and limit symptoms, but they will not fix the deformity
If surgery is needed, a number of different procedures may be considered. The specifics of the planned surgery depend on the stage of the disorder and the patient’s specific goals.
Procedures may include ligament and muscle lengthening, removal of the inflamed tendon lining, tendon transfers, cutting and realigning bones, placement of implants to realign the foot, and joint fusions. In general, early stage disease usually can be treated with tendon and ligament procedures with the addition of osteotomies (cutting/shortening of bone) to realign the foot.
Later stage disease with either a rigidly fixed deformity or arthritis usually is treated with joint fusion procedures. Fusions involve removing the joint that connects two bones, so that they become fixed together. These procedures allow powerful correction of bad deformities, leading to increased stability and pain relief; however, they also lead to a stiffer foot and loss of motion.
If you are considering surgery, talk to Dr. Reichard about the specifics of the planned procedure.
Recovery
Anticipated recovery after treatment for AAFD varies considerably depending on the treatment. Non-operative treatments usually involve use of a boot until symptoms subside and then an orthotic or brace. Almost all surgical treatments require a period of immobilization and restricted weightbearing that can range from several weeks to several months. More involved procedures that include a tendon transfer, osteotomy, or fusion may require a longer period of recovery. Typically, patients do not experience complete improvement until 1-2 years after surgery.
If I am not treated with surgery, will I have to wear the orthotic or brace for the rest of my life?
Traditionally it has been thought that orthotics and/or braces would need to be used by a patient for the rest of his or her life. Such devices serve to supplement the dysfunctional posterior tibial tendon and help realign the foot. Some studies, though, have suggested that adequate bracing and strengthening may allow the posterior tibial tendon to heal and therefore avoid permanent brace use. This may be the case in select situations. Patients with more severe deformities and more damage to the posterior tibial tendon are more likely to need to wear the orthotic or brace long term.
Will my deformity get worse over time? If so, will it be harder to treat?
Many deformities do get worse over time, but some do not. We do not yet know how to predict which patients will get worse. Generally, surgery for less severe deformities leads to better function than more severe deformities since more severe deformities often require bone fusions.
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