The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Flat feet surgery
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- See a specialist in as little as 24 hrs
FLAT FEET SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you’ll be looked after by world-leading orthopaedic experts, who specialise exclusively in foot and ankle conditions. They’ll work with you to build a personalised treatment plan supported by state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostics and dedicated nursing and physiotherapy teams.
This approach is why 97% of our orthopaedic patients would recommend us to their friends and family for orthopaedic care and why we have more 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private hospital group.
This approach is why 97% of our orthopaedic patients would recommend us to their friends and family for orthopaedic care and why we have more 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private hospital group.
If you have flat feet, you’ll either have low or no foot arches. Normally flat feet are nothing to worry about. Most children up to the age of 5 have flat feet and 15% never grow out of them. Sometimes our arches fall as we age because of an injury or natural wear and tear.
If your flat feet are flexible, meaning arches form when you stand on tip toes, you probably won’t experience any pain. However, if arches don’t form when you stand on tip toes, you have what’s known as a fixed flat foot.
This should be investigated by a specialist as it may cause your feet to roll inward too much (overpronation) leaving you vulnerable to pain and injuries. Fixed flat feet could also be a sign of a rare, underlying condition.
Most people with flat feet won’t have any symptoms. However, you may experience:
- Foot pain moving up the heal and arch to your ankles, hips or back
- Hyper-mobile joints leading to hip problems and in-turned knees and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Poor posture
- Fatigue after activity
Worried about your symptoms? Get in touch now and you could be speaking to one of our expert consultants in as little as 24 hours.
If you have flexible flat feet, usually very little intervention is needed. Your specialist may recommend a range of self-management techniques aimed at the soft tissues that surround the bones of your feet and legs, which include important ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Your specialist will only consider surgery if these techniques don’t help with your symptoms, if a tendon in your foot has failed (known as tibialis posterior dysfunction) or if you have fixed flat feet that don’t arch when standing on tip toe. Surgery can help in some of these cases.
Feet are incredibly well engineered, rigid enough to hold us up and flexible enough to allow us to walk and run. Because the foot is so complex, there are over 200 types of possible corrective surgery for flat feet, all carried out under a general anaesthetic.
Your consultant will discuss your specific case in detail and answer any questions you may have. They’ll also talk you through the procedure they recommend, explaining what’s involved and any risks or side-effects.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering highly personalised treatment
97%
of our patients would recommend us to family and friends
See an orthopaedic specialist within 24 hours
Specialist foot and ankle consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
FLAT FEET SURGERY PROCESS
What to expect
Flat feet only need to be treated if they cause pain or overpronation. At HCA UK, we’re leaders in private orthopaedic care and we’re proud to be the No.1 in London. Coupled with our investment in state-of-the-art technology, we’re here to deliver better outcomes for you, with access to a specialist foot consultant in as little as 24 hours and same day imaging.
01
Initial consultation
Your consultant will always start with a thorough physical examination. They’ll ask about your complete medical history and any symptoms you are experiencing, explore self-management techniques that may help and explain what surgery would entail if diagnostics suggest that’s the best path forward. Like all procedures, there may be some risks involved, your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you may have.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Your specialist team will examine your feet and gait and the wear pattern on your shoes. They’ll ask you to stand on your toes to see if your arches form and they may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT-scan or ultrasound to show the position of your foot arch, your bone structure and any signs of tendon injury or other underlaying conditions.
03
Treatment
If you do need surgery, there are over 200 types of possible corrective surgery for flat feet, all carried out under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will discuss your case with you, talk you through the procedure they recommend and answer any questions you may have.
04
Aftercare
Following surgery, you’ll be transferred to one of our recovery wards where our teams of nurses and physiotherapists will care for you. Your recovery time will vary depending on your general health and the corrective surgery you have had. Your consultant will let you know when you can back to your usual routine.
Where can I access flat feet surgery?
You can access HCA UK’s specialist orthopaedic services in our renowned hospitals in London and Cheshire and in our flagship Birmingham hospital, The Harborne. Across hospitals and treatment centres, you’ll have access to some of the country’s most respected experts who can help, from initial consultation through to treatment and next steps.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Your consultant may recommend a range of self-management techniques, including:
- Exercises to strengthen your core and the muscles controlling your foot arches
- Exercises to loosen tight calf muscles, which can worsen flat feet
- Wearing arch support insoles, helping to bring the floor to your foot
- Weight loss, reducing pressure on your feet
- Wearing well-fitted shoes, especially important for children
Most children have flat feet up to the age of 5 because their muscles and skeletal structures haven’t yet fully developed. By the age of 7, most gain foot arches, but 15% of us don’t. So having flat feet is entirely normal and usually nothing to worry about.
However, if your child is in pain or has flat feet that don’t form arches when they stand on tiptoes (fixed flat feet), it’s best to get a check-up to discount a more serious underlying condition.
The good news is that foot surgery is generally easier and more successful in younger children, involving less repairing of tendons and reshaping of the foot.
We can help your child get the right, expert diagnosis.
You’ll be given painkillers and can usually walk soon after the operation. However, it will take several weeks, or even months, to make a full recovery.
The cost of flat feet surgery varies depending on the individual patient and the treatment they require, the procedure, surgeon and hospital. We’ll be able to give you accurate quote based on your needs following a consultation.
All our private healthcare services can be paid for as and when you need them, you don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly.
All our private healthcare services can be paid for as and when you need them, you don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly.
Flat feet surgery can be beneficial if pain or mobility issues are affecting daily life. It helps correct foot alignment, reduce discomfort, and improve function.
It’s important to note that it’s not typically recommended until non-surgical treatments have been tried. Get in touch to talk to one of out flat feet specialists and find out if surgery could be the right choice for you.
It’s important to note that it’s not typically recommended until non-surgical treatments have been tried. Get in touch to talk to one of out flat feet specialists and find out if surgery could be the right choice for you.
While flat feet aren’t dangerous, they can impact a patient’s quality of life causing pain, fatigue, or alignment issues affecting the knees, hips, and back. Severe cases can lead to mobility problems, so if symptoms persist, you should seek medical advice to find out about the right treatment options for you.
Our patients’ foot stories
Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health – Marinella’s story
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
Glynis is bowled over by her new ankle
A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life.
Timothys story preserving diabetic foot
“I'll always be thankful I did the research and found Mr Goldberg. One of the best things was having a consultant I could communicate with. I couldn’t go on as I was – I couldn’t function, I couldn’t walk… As far as I’m concerned, he saved my life.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.