Has anyone had reconstructive surgery for arches?

Phirrgus

Long story kept short, I was born with feet that weren't fully formed. They look normal for the most part, but I've never had an arch either foot. Started walking without braces around 5 years old, and I use custom orthotics now, and have been told the next step is the brace kind that straps around the calf, or a wheel chair.

I also had both feet injured (accident on duty) broken bones/and stress fractures that were probably there before the accident, and now have arthritis in both feet per a doc my GP referred me to.

Anyway - my wife recently had foot surgery (bunion removal) and her surgeon apparently does this reconstructive surgery for arches. This wasn't a thing when I was medically discharged and no doctor has ever mentioned to me but for her. This site seems to match very closely what she told me.
https://www.northwell.edu/orthopaedic-institute/find-care/treatments/flatfoot-reconstruction

I want this - the thought of being able to move more freely with less pain is very attractive. I'm also very apprehensive, maybe because I just don't know anything about it?

Is this a bad road to go down?

Thank you for any replies folks!

SCoil123

I’m curious to see what kind of responses you get. I’m flat footed and it has definitely made me prone to shin splints and a variety of other issues.

I wasn’t born this way. My arches collapsed when I was pregnant with my son.

Phirrgus

SCoil123 wrote: »

I’m curious to see what kind of responses you get. I’m flat footed and it has definitely made me prone to shin splints and a variety of other issues.

I wasn’t born this way. My arches collapsed when I was pregnant with my son.

@SCoil123 - that had to have been a rude shock. I've had a lifetime to get used to dealing with it...I'm seeing some positive write ups about the procedure, but some real world "been there" experience would be very welcome.

SCoil123

Phirrgus wrote: »

SCoil123 wrote: »

I’m curious to see what kind of responses you get. I’m flat footed and it has definitely made me prone to shin splints and a variety of other issues.

I wasn’t born this way. My arches collapsed when I was pregnant with my son.

@SCoil123 - that had to have been a rude shock. I've had a lifetime to get used to dealing with it...I'm seeing some positive write ups about the procedure, but some real world "been there" experience would be very welcome.

It definitely takes getting used to. I can’t do yoga like I did before because it is so much harder to balance. I bet I could swim fast though if I tried....having flippers now lol

My son is 13 so I’ve had time to adjust but I would like to fix it if possible with relatively low risks

Phirrgus

I absolutely understand the balance issues lol. I'll update this thread if I ever find any solid info on this, as in a high % of positive reports.

swirlybee

SCoil123 wrote: »

I’m curious to see what kind of responses you get. I’m flat footed and it has definitely made me prone to shin splints and a variety of other issues.

I wasn’t born this way. My arches collapsed when I was pregnant with my son.

Me too. I've had some luck getting my arches back doing corrective workouts. You can search for "flat foot exercises" on youtube but this video [link] in particular is what I used.