Flat Foot Surgery
Free 20-minute consultation: Before deciding on surgery, you can book a free 20-minute consultation for an in-person examination of your feet. The clinician will discuss suitability, options and next steps. Book your consultation.
Our flat foot treatment options include gait analysis, bespoke orthoses and, for selected patients with symptomatic flexible flatfoot, minimally invasive surgery using a sinus tarsi implant. Assessment helps identify the cause of your symptoms and the most suitable approach.
- Comprehensive biomechanics assessment and imaging
- Custom orthotics & strengthening programmes
- Minimally invasive sinus tarsi implant and other surgical options when appropriate
You'll receive a clear treatment map, from conservative therapy through to recovery milestones after surgery. Our multidisciplinary team supports you through every stage.
Flat feet are common, but some people develop pain, fatigue or difficulty with walking and activity. The right treatment depends on the cause of the flatfoot and whether the foot is flexible or rigid. We start with an assessment and may recommend footwear changes, orthoses, physiotherapy or other non-surgical care before considering surgery.
Minimally invasive flat foot surgery with a sinus tarsi implant
For selected patients with symptomatic, flexible flatfoot, we offer minimally invasive surgery known as subtalar arthroereisis. Through a small incision on the outer side of the foot, the surgeon places an implant into the sinus tarsi, a natural space between the talus and heel bone. The implant is designed to limit excessive movement at the subtalar joint and help improve foot alignment. Depending on the cause and severity, it may be used alone or alongside other procedures.
Potential benefits when this approach is suitable
- Uses a small incision to place the implant.
- Can help control excessive inward rolling and support improved alignment of the foot.
- May help reduce pain and improve walking or daily function for some appropriately selected patients.
- May offer a less extensive option than some reconstructive operations involving bone cuts or joint fusion, although some people need additional procedures.
These are potential benefits, not guaranteed results. The evidence for sinus tarsi implants is still uncertain, and the procedure is not suitable for every type of flatfoot. Possible problems include ongoing pain or irritation around the implant, and occasionally further surgery to reposition or remove it. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits, risks and alternatives with you. Read more about minimally invasive flat foot surgery and sinus tarsi implants.
FAQs
Flat foot is a condition where the arch collapses and the entire sole rests on the ground. It may be present from childhood or develop due to tendon weakness, injury, arthritis, or biomechanics.
Symptoms include arch or heel pain, tired or achy feet, ankle or knee discomfort, rolling inwards (overpronation), difficulty standing or walking long durations, and uneven shoe wear. If symptoms persist, an assessment is recommended.
Causes can include genetics, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, injury, arthritis, ligament weakness, or poor footwear. Some cases are flexible and painless; others progressively worsen.
Diagnosis involves physical examination, gait analysis, and imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound to determine severity, cause, and the right treatment path.
Custom orthotics, physiotherapy and strengthening programmes, footwear modifications, bracing for tendon support, and anti-inflammatory treatments. Many patients improve without surgery.
Surgery may be needed for persistent pain, tendon damage progression, severe deformity, or when conservative care no longer works.
Depending on the cause and severity, options may include tendon or ligament procedures, calcaneal osteotomy (heel realignment), fusion for some advanced cases, or minimally invasive subtalar arthroereisis using a sinus tarsi implant for selected flexible flatfoot. Your surgeon will explain which options may suit you.
It is a procedure for selected cases of flexible flatfoot. An implant is placed through a small incision into the sinus tarsi to limit excessive subtalar joint movement and help improve alignment. Suitability and whether additional procedures are needed depend on your assessment.
Recovery depends on whether you have an implant procedure alone or additional surgery, and on your individual healing. Your surgeon will advise when to bear weight, how long to use protective footwear and how to progress activity. Swelling and return to work, walking and sport can take time, so follow your personalised plan.
Surgery may improve comfort and function for some people, but results vary and improvement is not guaranteed. Your assessment will help clarify the likely benefits and limitations for your foot.
Contact the Foot & Ankle Centre through our website, phone, or online enquiry form to arrange an assessment and personalised plan.