Treatment methods

Surgical treatment for strongly pronounced pes planovalgus

In the case of highly pronounced pes planovalgus, we perform what is referred to as a growth-influencing operation at the age of ten to twelve years. During this corrective procedure, a screw is inserted into the ankle bone. It prevents the heel from bending away and ensures that the foot can straighten up. As soon as the foot is fully grown, the screw is removed. If the calf muscles are also shortened, they are lengthened during the same session. 

Extension operations for older children

In older children, the foot can be straightened by extending the heel bone. A small bone wedge from the pelvic bone is inserted into the heel bone.  

Fusion of tarsal bones

In some children, bony fusions of tarsal bones, called tarsal coalition, lead to a painful, inflexible pes planovalgus malposition. Instead of normal, flexible joints, fixed bridges are formed, which cause foot pain during growth and restrict mobility. Conservative therapeutic approaches, such as insoles or immobilisation in a cast, usually do not provide any improvement. A surgical intervention is unavoidable here in order to achieve freedom from symptoms. The bone bridges are surgically removed in order to achieve the correct positioning of the hindfoot and midfoot. Accompanying deformities must also be removed here during the same session.

Treatment of a congenital flat foot (vertical talus)

Congenital rocker-bottom foot in the presence of vertical talus is a severe deformity that must be treated surgically in all cases. First of all, the shape of the foot is corrected by means of serial casting. For this purpose, casts are applied from the toes to the groin and are changed once a week until the foot has been passively corrected. During the operation, our specialists correct the skeletal deformity and muscular imbalance. This allows us to improve the shape and function of the foot as well as the usability of the limb.