Adult Acquired Flatfoot?

Michael E. Graham, DPM, FACFAS

What is an “adult acquired flatfoot”?

Basically - an adult who has developed a symptomatic flatfoot.

It’s not that yesterday

their foot was normal

and today when they got out of bed their foot flattened out.

yesterday

today

No, it is simply the fact that now there is pain associated with their misaligned foot.

Pain is an warning sign that something is wrong.

Most times, pain occurs due to the overstretching of the

posterior tibial tendon.

An important question we need to ask ourselves is

what lead to this problem?

The answer has everything to do with foot alignment.

When feet are aligned, the hindfoot bones are aligned.

When the hindfoot bones are no longer aligned, then there is a loss of normal foot

alignment.

The ankle bone (talus) should sit on top of the heel bone (calcaneus).

However, in a misaligned foot, the talus partially dislocates on the calcaneus.

Individuals with a rigid condition get along with less symptoms than individuals with a flexible

condition.

That’s because when the ankle bone partially displaces on the hindfoot bones, a tremendous strain

is placed on the tissues supporting the inner arch.

When the inner arch is strained, this places a tremendous repeated force on the posterior

tibial tendon while standing, walking or running.

Most people diagnosed with adult acquired flatfoot

are usually 45-55 years old.

Did you know that people of this age range have taken more than 120,000,000 steps.

These individuals were born with misaligned feet, they have had bad feet their whole life.

Its just now after all these years of the cumulative trauma acting on the soft tissues

that has lead to pain.

If these feet were realigned when they were children then they wouldn’t have to suffer as a

result of their misaligned feet.

There are now proven procedures that can help.

It might not be too late.

The treatment options are based primarily on the flexibility of the condition.

If you can reposition your foot/feet “back to normal” than you have more options

Resting Stance Position Neutral Stance Position

than someone who cannot.

There is a proven realignment procedure that can

transform this foot

into this foot

The procedure involves the insertion of a titanium stent into the naturally occurring space

in between the ankle and heel bones.

+ =

It’s performed as a brief out-patient procedure.

Generally, most patients are allowed to bear partial weight on their foot the same day.

Instantly, the hindfoot bones are realigned and the normal amount of motion still occurs.

The procedure is reversible, which is a benefit as traditional hindfoot reconstruct is not.

Patients, once fully healed, are allowed to exercise to tolerance without restriction.

Stop suffering as a result of your misaligned feet.

Taking action today may prevent you from having to undergo a more aggressive surgical

procedure.

This procedure may be covered by your health insurance.

If not, it is surprisingly affordable and can possibly be performed as an in-office

procedure saving thousands of dollars.

This pathologic deformity should not be ignored.

While standing and with every step taken, excessive abnormal

forces are destroying the tissues of the foot, knee, hip and back.

To learn more about this life changing procedure

Please visit

www.alignmyfeet.com

Don’t let your feet control your life, take control of your feet.