About Reconstruction Surgery for Flat Feet
Did you know that 3 in 10 people have flat feet? If you suffer with flat feet, you may have considered flat foot surgery or want to know - can you get rid of flat feet? Flat foot reconstructive surgery has many pros and cons which we will discuss in this blog.
We will also show you some of the best footwear options to protect your flat feet. At Sole Bliss, we understand this difficulty and we have designed the ideal shoes for flat feet. When looking for flat feet shoes, it is important to look for shoes with built-in arch support. This prevents the inward pronation of the ankle and supports the arch of the foot. All Sole Bliss closed back heels feature an anti-pronating arch support device to support the underfoot and prevent your ankle pronating inwards.
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Flat feet is a common foot condition that often occurs during the early stages of childhood. When developing at an early age, the ligaments and tissue in your feet should tighten together which forms an arch underfoot thus creating support for the bones in your feet.
If you suffer with flat feet, your feet press flat against the ground. Flat feet can also be referred to as fallen arches, because you have a low or no arch. People who do not have flat feet are able to distribute the impact from walking across the whole area of the foot so that no part is forced to absorb too much strain or pressure. However, problems with flat feet and the pronation of the ankle can lead to plantar fasciitis over time as the arch flattens and breaks down. If you suffer with these foot conditions, you may be wondering - can you get rid of flat feet?
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Pros and Cons of Flat Feet Surgery
Flat foot surgery and the reconstruction of flat feet offers several benefits. Crucially, it reshapes the foot to ensure your fallen arch has the correct support. Reconstruction surgery for flat feet works to repair the tendons, ligaments and bone structure in your feet so that you can distribute pressure and strain equally along the foot.
One of the biggest disadvantages of flat feet surgery is that the recovery period can take up to 8 weeks and it is often a painful process. When undergoing surgery for flat feet, it is worth knowing that you will be spending some time in a cast. This means your mobility will be limited and will make it more difficult to carry out daily tasks. There is also a risk of blood clots and nerve damage. Reconstructive surgery is considered low risk, however these flat feet surgery pros and cons will determine whether it is right for you.
Who is a Good Candidate for Flat Feet Surgery?
To know if you are a good candidate for flat feet surgery, you should always speak to your doctor or GP. However, if you find that the following describes you or what you experience, then it is very likely that you are a good candidate for flat feet surgery:
- Experience orthopaedic pain and discomfort daily
- Non-surgical methods have not helped
- Lost ability to perform certain activities from having flat feet
- An x-ray diagnosis for flat feet
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If you are diagnosed with flat feet, it does not mean you have to have flat foot reconstructive surgery. If your feet do not cause you pain or affect your daily life, then you are someone who probably is not the most suitable candidate for flat feet surgery.
Many people with this condition find that flat foot reconstructive surgery is not suitable or needed for them if they do not experience pain or discomfort. In this case, if you did not want to go through with an invasive surgical procedure, there are other options you can look into, for example, finding comfortable shoes for flat feet.
What are the Potential Risks and Side Effects of Flat Foot Surgery?
It is rare for any complications to occur when going through with flat feet reconstructive surgery, however like all invasive surgeries, they do have their own risks. Reconstructive surgery for flat feet risk complications include infections, nerve and blood vessel damage and not being able to fully heal after recovery. Side effects will usually include some sharp aching pains in the foot, as well as lack of mobility due to the cast you will need to wear.
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Alternatives to Reconstructive Surgery
Now we know about the pros and cons of flat feet surgery, we will now be looking at alternative options to reconstructive surgery. When surgery to correct flat feet isn’t a viable option for you, there are some non-intrusive options you can turn to relieve any pain and restore function if you do have flat feet. Alternative options can include:
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Comfortable shoes for flat feet - Physical therapy
- Custom made orthotic insoles
- Steroid injections for pain
- Frequent rest
- Foot exercises and stretches
These alternative treatments can help with the pain you experience from flat feet.
Physical therapists can provide certain flat feet exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons in the feet and guidance to improve gait.
Custom made orthotics are one of the most popular alternative options on the market as they are easily accessible and can provide a lot of support in any shoe you wear them with.
The last alternative option would be a steroid injection, also known as a cortisone shot. This type of injection uses a chemical which is similar to the natural hormones that your body produces to reduce inflammation. Therefore, a steroid injection is a good alternative to reduce swelling, stiffness and pain in flat feet.
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Shoes Suitable for Flat Feet
When looking for the best shoes for flat feet, there are several factors which you need to consider. Flat feet shoes must have built in arch support. Sole Bliss have created on-trend and stylish shoes for flat feet which contain our anti-pronating device for arch support. They are designed to cushion and support your fallen arches.
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Sole Bliss court shoes, smart flats and loafers all feature our award-winning Anti Pronating Arch Support device that alleviates any pressure your flat feet may cause. The device also prevents the inwards rolling of the ankle which can help support the arches of your foot.
All Sole Bliss shoes feature 3 Layers of Memory Foam cushioning built into the sole unit, which provides shock absorbency, soft memory foam cushioning and a custom contoured support system which alleviates pressure and pain.
To Summarise...
When choosing the best shoes for flat feet, Sole Bliss is here to help! We know that suitable shoes for flat feet will offer arch support, memory foam cushioning and shock absorbency. People with flat feet will also benefit from wide fitting shoes so it is important to find a shoe with a deep and wide toe box. So if you're looking for a suitable footwear alternative to flat foot surgery, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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