Surgery for flatfoot includes: posterior tibial tendon reconstruction, heel osteotomy with internal displacement, spring ligament strengthening, subtalar joint braking, Achilles tendon lengthening, and cuneiform osteotomy.
General postoperative rehabilitation.
1. Based on the surgery performed, the patient will not be able to walk for 2-6 weeks after surgery, and the time to start walking depends on the specific operation performed during the surgery.
2. In order to rest the affected foot, patients need to use crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.
3.Postoperatively, a rigid plaster bandage will be used for 2 weeks.
4.Coming to the outpatient clinic for review about 2 weeks after surgery.
5.Patients will usually be asked to wear a removable boot.
6. 3 weeks after surgery, the patient can start walking in the boot, depending on the patient’s level of discomfort and the doctor’s instructions.
7.Physical therapy is helpful in restoring motion and strength to the ankle.
8. An orthopedic arch brace can be of great help in the patient’s recovery process.
9.Patients should have physical therapy for 1-2 months and the foot, ankle and leg will be moderately swollen for about 6 months.
10.Patients need to continue to improve sports and exercise strength for about 9 months after surgery.
11.Patients may have mild pain for 4-6 months after surgery.
Special post-operative course.
Day 1.
1.Put a plaster bandage on the affected foot, apply ice, elevate the affected foot, and use pain medication.
2. The affected foot may be numb for 4-12 hours and a small amount of blood may ooze from the dressing, change the dressing.
Day 14.
1.The patient will visit the clinic for the first time for follow-up and change the dressing to check the wound condition.
2. The patient is put into a boot and can bear weight if tolerated by the patient (6 weeks for heel osteotomies, after physician examination).
Weeks 6-8.
1.The affected foot can be fully weight-bearing with the boot on, and physical therapy (hot water foot soak) is started.
2.Take off the boot at the end of week 8 and further exercise (refer to flat foot exercise).
3.Gait analysis by computer, then make arch correction support insoles (available on Taobao).