Flat Foot Surgery Recovery Time [Best Home Treatment, Boots & Shoes]
Flat Foot Surgery Recovery Time: This can range by procedures, but there is 50% healing at 6 weeks, 75% at 3 months. Make it FASTER!
Table of Contents
Heel Pain Causes: Picture & Photo Gallery
Look:
- One of the top causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This is damage to a ligament that holds your heel to your toes.
- Another root cause of heel pain has flat feet.
- There are also photos of heel spurs that can occur to the bottom of your heel (plantar fascia insertion) and the back of your heel (Achilles tendon insertion).
- Baxter’s nerve entrapment can also happen at the bottom of the heel.
- An underlying cause is an overpronated flatfoot or an over a supinated high arched foot.
- A plantar fibroma is a thick nodule that can occur within your plantar fascia ligament and contribute to plantar fasciitis.
- This can lead to the formation of a heel stress fracture( AKA calcaneus stress fracture.)
Please click on the gallery for a guided tour through heel pain conditions!
Flat Foot Surgery Recovery Time:
- There are many different types of flatfoot surgeries: including big toe surgeries, ball of the foot surgeries, midfoot surgeries, plantar fascia surgeries, heel and ankle surgeries.
- There multiple surgeries that can be performed to correct a flat foot. Typically you need to wait six to eight weeks before you can bear weight again.
- The average timeline for flatfoot surgery that involves bone is: 50% healing at six weeks, 75% healing at 12 weeks and 90-95% healing at six months, 100% of the final product at one year.
- If you still have pain over one year, and likely won’t get a whole lot better after this unless something new is done.
- This does not mean nothing can be done! There are many pros and cons to flatfoot surgery, but these can always be helped by the nonsurgical treatment guide as shown below.
- We include the best postoperative products, and the best long-term rehabilitation products for flatfoot surgery.
What is a Flat foot?
- Flat foot is where the arch of a foot has collapsed or is collapsing.
- This deformity usually is accompanied with pain but is not true in all cases.
- Therefore, flat foot can limit the amount and type of activities able to be performed.
What causes flat feet?
There are many causes to flat feet. Usually flat feet are developed over time as we age, however you can also be born with them. Injury to your feet can cause this deformity, as well as arthritis and tendon issues.
- Genetics.
- Develop as we age.
- Injury.
- Arthritis.
- Tendon Issues.
- Increased weight.
- Collapse of the joints and feet.
- Gradual increase of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms:
Flat feet most likely have pain associated with them. The location of pain can be located in one spot or multiple spots of the foot with flat feet. The most commonly located pain is in the arch and heel but can extend to other parts of the foot or ankle. Pain on the outside of the foot can also occur, as well as on other muscles and ligaments that extend up the leg.
- Pain in arch.
- Heel pain.
- Ankle pain.
- Pain that extends up the leg.
- Pain after getting up and moving while sitting on the couch.
- Pain while driving in the heel.
- Worsening pain as you stand during the day on hard surfaces.
- Worsening pain while standing barefoot.
- Worsening pain with non-supportive shoes.
- Numbness burning and tingling in the heel.
- Sore achy throbbing in the heel that gets worse while standing during the day.
Pros and cons of flatfoot surgery:
There are many pros and cons to flatfoot surgery: this is a very large surgery so you have to know what you’re getting yourself into.
Pros:
- Flatfoot surgery can definitely correct flat feett, and if postoperative protocols are followed properly the results have been shown to be very good with high satisfaction rates.
- Studies have really improved, and there are many testimonials out there.
- You have the ability to research your surgeon, if they are not doing a good job the evidence is out all over the Internet!
- If they are doing a great job you will hear and read the reviews online!
- You can research the specific procedures that you are going to receive, and you can look up the satisfaction rates and how effective these procedures are well ahead of time.
- If you know what you’re getting yourself into, flatfoot surgery can be very effective.
- There are many great cost-effective products for immediately after surgery, and from long-term rehab.
- There are many great physical therapist that can help you get better.
- Hospital and operating room protocols have really improved, so some of the horror stories from your grandparents days, are greatly decreased and avoidable.
Cons:
- the healing time is long!
- I’m going to say it again: the healing time is extremely long.
- Read the flatfoot surgery recovery time below.
- This means that you are going to get stiff through your knees your hips and your lower back due to inactivity.
- There are many side effects that can happen to anesthesia, been nonweightbearing for so long, being off work for so long, and recovering during this time.
- The majority of our patients have a very difficult time in the postoperative period, and the number one complaint is that they did not think that it would be this bad in this long. And this is after we really emphasize this to them!.
- With health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, weak muscle mass and or smoking: the healing rates will be much slower.
- Do we mention that healing takes a long time!
Flat Foot Surgery Recovery Time:
- The Surgical treatment involves reconstructing the deformity to its proper position.
- This can involve a bone fusion to the arch or other affected parts of the foot.
- There are many tendons that run through a foot that may also be affected and need to be adjusted.
Average Healing Time After Surgery:
- The average timeline for flatfoot surgery that involves bone is: 50% healing at six weeks, 75% healing at 12 weeks and 90-95% healing at six months, 100% of the final product at one year.
One week postoperative visit:
- At the one week postoperative visit, we generally take an x-ray and you are still in a fractured boot or a cast.
- At this visit we do go over an x-ray, and sutures are still in place.
- You are likely using a scooter and or crutches at this point.
- While in a cast or fracture group, it is very difficult to drive a car, especially if it is on your right foot.
- You’re still likely taking pain medication at this point and anticoagulation medication.
Three week postoperative visit:
- At this visit, we also generally take an x-ray and you’re still in a cast for a fracture.
- It is still likely difficult to drive, especially if it is on your right foot.
- At this point it makes sense to remove the sutures, if the incision site is showing good progress.
- If you do have health conditions that would delay healing this is not the suture removal time for everybody.
Six week postoperative visit:
- At this appointment, don’t be too worried because you’re only about 50% of the final product.
- At this visit it is usually time to start thinking about getting out of the fracture blew or cast.
- At this point you likely don’t need a knee scooter or walking boot at this point.
- Most people likely don’t need home care if they didn’t need it.
- At this point if it was your right foot some people may start thinking about driving safely if they feel up to it and there is no further restrictions.
- This point it is likely to stir physical therapy, if you have not started already.
- At this point depending on the surgery, you may be moving from a fracture boot to a supportive true with a lace-up brace or if you are in a cast you might be moving into a walking boot.
- If you did have a more extensive ankle surgery, you may still be in a walking boot at this point rather than back into a shoe.
Three month postoperative visit:
- At this point the average person is about 70 to 75% of the final product.
- At this point you are likely back into a shoe, some people may still need to wear a lace up ankle brace.
- An x-ray is also taken at this appointment to ensure proper healing.
- Physical therapy is likely progressing well at this point, although some people may need further physical therapy especially if they have tight associated muscles or back or hip pain.
- At this point some people are starting to think about getting back to work if they work a labor job.
- At this point there is focus on great shoes, orthotics and stretching.
Six-month postoperative visit:
- At this appointment you are roughly 90% better, although you likely need to focus on stretching and flexibility still.
- Recovering from a flat foot surgery can be very difficult in terms of rehabilitation, especially if you are de-conditioned and have poor muscle mass, or carrying heavy weight otherwise.
- Flatfoot surgery will not fix weak muscles and too much weight.
One year postoperative visit:
- At this point you have likely reached the final product of flatfoot surgery.
- If you are hoping for more at this point, most studies show that it will not get a whole lot better unless you do other things.
- Don’t lose hope! We find people can still have amazing results through good physical therapy, great shoes, great orthotics, great bracing and the below mentioned stretching products.
Best Heel Pain Products:
- There are usually two phases to treating plantar fasciitis pain.
- The two phases of treatment include controlling the acute inflammation, and correcting the biomechanics which led to the problem in the first place.
- If the tendons and ligaments are inflamed, they are almost frozen in place and cannot function properly.
- Once the inflammation is decreased, we need to correct the bio-mechanical causes to ensure that they can never become over worked and inflamed again!
- This doesn’t matter whether it’s plantar fasciitis, plantar fibroma, sore bottom of foot, or even Achilles tendon pain. Treatment is all roughly very similar.
Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis Inflammation:
Massage & Ice Products:
- Ice is the an excellent option that can be safe for almost everyone.
- There is some debate whether icing is worth doing, but for chronic pain this can help limit the need for medications and keep your options open.
- This works great for your arch, less for the ball of the foot.
- The more muscle and ligament tissue there is, the better ice will work there.
Menthol Based Gels:
- Biofreeze is one of our favorites.
- These gels have been studied to work 2x as long as ice.
- This works great for the ball of the foot.
- This can be very effective for bottom of the heel and Achilles tendon sore regions.
Massage Sticks:
- These can work great for loosening your muscles.
- This allows less tightness and pressure on the ball of your foot.
- This is very effective for the arch, the gastrocnemius or calf muscle and for the hamstring and thigh muscles.
- This also works very well for the gluteus muscles if you are having butt cheek or hip pain.
Remove the Plantar Fascia or Achilles Tendon Stress:
- The key is to prevent future pain.
- This means keeping you active while keeping stress off of your plantar fascia tendon. This will prevent future re-injury and development of plantar fasciitis.
- If you can get rid of the pain and swelling, this will let you start walking normally.
- If you can walk normally, the vast majority of your pain should gradually start to go away.
- The best way to ensure that your plantar fascia, foot and ankle ligaments are not overworked is to support them.
- The best way to support them is to use great orthotics and great shoes.
- Some people may also need to rely on supportive ankle braces and other supportive modalities.
The Best Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Shoes:
- Getting a great supportive pair of shoes will make sure that there is pressure removed from the heel and plantar fascia region.
- This is especially important if you have plantar fasciitis, heel spur pain or Achilles tendonitis.
- Consider shoes combined with a good supportive orthotic for best pain relief!
- The following link will show you what our favorites are.
Best Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics:
- These are our recommended orthotics for plantar fasciitis.
- Custom orthotics can work very well, but they should not be a first line of treatment.
- There are different types for different shoes.
- Women’s shoes usually need a less bulky orthotic, but allow for less correction.
- A full length orthotic requires a running shoe, boot or comfortable walking/dress shoe.
- We recommend doing everything you can to get a good supportive shoe that can fit a full length orthotic.
- This is the best way to maximize your orthotics for great results.
Best Full Length Orthotics:
- These will only work in wider shoes or a good supportive running shoe.
- This will not work in sandals, flats or most women’s dress shoes.
Best Dress Shoe Orthotics:
- These are a great choice for dress orthotics.
Best 3/4 Length Orthotics:
- These are great options for women’s dress shoes and thinner shoes.
- These are not the most supportive pair of orthotics.
Get A Great Dynamic Stretch:
- It is possible to stretch on your own, but these products can also really help!
- This will take pressure off of the ball of your foot.
- We personally prefer this method of stretching.
Get A Great Static Stretch:
- These devices are great for stretching while you are resting.
- This will also help take pressure off of the ball of your foot.
- This works great for plantar fasciitis.
- It can be used while watching TV or at night time.
Best Heel Compression Brace:
- A good compression brace can stabilize your foot from turning outward.
- This prevents your foot from pronated.
- Pronated foot will turn your foot outward in your foot will rub on the outside of the shoe.
- For many of her patients this has solved their pain and is very comfortable to wear inside your shoe.
- This solves both pain and outward pronation for a relatively low cost.
Best Heel Stability Brace:
- Stability brace goes little bit further than the compression brace to stop your foot from turning out.
- This takes pressure off of your heel and plantar fascia.
- At the same time this is a little bit bulkier and does not affect every shoe.
- We find people are little bit happier trying the compression brace before the stability brace.
Heel Injury:
- If you think you might have a broken heel, a calcaneal stress fracture or something of similar severity, these products might help!
- Always remember to see a foot and ankle specialist like a podiatrist if you are having plantar fasciitis or more severe pain!
Plantar Fascia Tear, Broken Heel Bone, Achilles Tendon Tear:
- If you have a traumatic injury such as a torn plantar fascia ligament, calcaneus stress fracture, heel fracture or insertional Achilles tendon injury: consider protecting your foot!
- The best way to do this is of course to see your podiatrist and get evaluated with an x-ray, ultrasound and potentially even an MRI or CT scan.
- If you are unable to do so it may benefit you to be in a cast, fractured boot, or even keep the weight off of it with a rolling knee scooter or other protective devices.
- We as podiatrists frequently take patients off work for very long period of time when they suffer a traumatic injury, unfortunately there is no other way around us in labor jobs.
- If you have a sit down job there are ways to get people back to work quicker, but this can be very difficult otherwise.
Heel Injury Boot Treatment:
- There are pros and cons to using a boot to treat your heel injury. If you are immobilized too long the cons are that you will gradually become stiff and overworked to your other leg. The Pros are that you injured heel will hopefully have a chance to gradually heal!
- Our favorite fracture boots and their supplies:
Offloading and Scooter treatment:
- These are favorite knee scooters and walking devices: