Alignment • tendons • reconstruction
Adult acquired flatfoot and complex deformity
An adult foot that progressively collapses can become painful when alignment, ligaments or tendons no longer support the arch properly. Complex deformity requires assessment of the whole lower limb, not only the foot.
What symptoms may suggest this condition?
- Progressive loss of the arch and the feeling that the foot drifts outward.
- Medial or lateral pain, walking fatigue and difficulty on uneven ground.
- In advanced cases, stiffness and arthritis of the hindfoot or ankle joints.
How is the diagnosis confirmed?
Weight-bearing X-rays are essential to understand alignment. Examination assesses deformity flexibility, tendon strength and painful areas. Weight-bearing CT or MRI may be useful in selected cases.
Is surgery always necessary?
Depending on stage, treatment may include appropriate footwear, insoles or braces, physiotherapy and activity modification. The goal is pain relief and support; it does not always correct an advanced structural deformity.
When should surgery be discussed?
Reconstruction is individualised: bony realignment, tendon or ligament procedures, and sometimes fusions when joints are arthritic or rigid. In complex cases, planning overall alignment is essential.
Source patient : AOFAS / AAOS. General information, to be adapted to each clinical situation.
Helping you move forward, step by step.
A consultation is an opportunity to discuss your situation, goals and the different treatment options.