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Flat feet surgery
SURGERY FOR FALLEN ARCHES
If your flat feet (fallen arches) are causing pain and discomfort, our orthopaedic surgeons can help
What are flat feet?
Flat feet are feet with low or no foot arches. They can cause pain in the feet, ankles and other areas. They can also lead to feet rolling inward too much (overpronation), which can result in injuries and shoes wearing out.
Most babies and toddlers have flat feet resulting from a combination of increased joint mobility and fat in their arches and can remain flat until the child is aged 4-5. In adulthood up to 20% of us have flat feet which is a normal variant. Most flat feet are flexible, meaning when you stand on your tip toes the arches recreate. If the arch does not recreate when you stand on tip toes, this is known as fixed flat foot and should be investigated.
Most cases of flat feet require reassurance only. Some patients will require insoles for their shoes but depending on your symptoms, your GP or consultant may recommend surgery.
Need to know
Normally, flat feet are nothing to worry about. They only need to be treated if they cause pain or overpronation. Surgery is only considered if:
- you or your child are very symptomatic and all other non operative methods have failed
- if a tendon in your foot has failed (tibialis posterior dysfunction)
- if you or your child's ifeet are rigid necessitating investigation with scans
If surgery is carried out, it is usually under a general anaesthetic but your consultant will discuss your specific case in detail and be on hand to answer any questions.
Your consultant will explain what happens during flat feet surgery to you and answer any questions you might have. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
After having your flat foot surgery, we'll transfer you to one of our recovery wards where our team of nurses and physiotherapists will care for you. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Flat feet surgery locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.