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Novel procedure may bridge the treatment gap for symptomatic flexible flatfoot
Medical Xpress / Children's Hospital Boston / Jrnl of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North Am. ^ | Oct. 17, 2024 | Joanne Barker / Nicholas Sullivan et al

Posted on 10/20/2024 10:37:36 AM PDT by ConservativeMind

Most children develop arches in their feet by early adolescence. About 20 percent, however, have pes planovalgus (PPV), also known as flexible flatfoot.

Until recently in the U.S., children have had two options at extreme ends of the treatment spectrum: conservative treatment or complex foot reconstruction with multiple osteotomies.

A third option that bridges the gap between conservative treatment and foot reconstruction is practiced widely in several European countries—and has been for decades.

Subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA), also known as calcaneo-stop, is a minimally invasive procedure to correct symptomatic flexible flatfoot without complex foot reconstruction.

During a SESA procedure, a surgeon manually moves the calcaneus into a neutral position and places a single screw through a small incision near the ankle. The screw stabilizes the foot and acts as a mechanical barrier to prevent the bones from returning to a flat position.

After the procedure, young patients feel where the screw impinges and naturally use the small muscles of their foot to create an arch. The ideal age for SESA seems to be about 12, when most children's feet are close to fully grown, yet their brains remain highly responsive to new stimuli.

Studies of SESA in Italy have shown positive results, low complication rates, and high patient satisfaction.

Mahan and her colleagues reviewed the results of 37 SESA procedures performed at Boston Children's Hospital between 2018 and 2022. Patients were an average age of 13 at the time of surgery.

Radiological results showed significant improvements with no patient remaining in the symptomatic range after the procedure. Patients also reported a high degree of satisfaction with their arch development, foot function, and general appearance of their foot. Nearly all eventually had both feet treated.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: flatfoot; ppv
This is available in the United States, but you would have to do some research to identify someone close to you, if not around Boston.
1 posted on 10/20/2024 10:37:36 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 10/20/2024 10:38:36 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

“Flexible Flatfoot”

I really enjoyed their music in the late 60s!


3 posted on 10/20/2024 10:40:29 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (It should be illegal to be here illegally. It should be a crime to be committing crimes in the USA.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Conservatively, physical therapy as a first approach?

When I was 12, a friend made fun of me for my flat feet (hereditary) and I trained myself to walk heel, outer edge, ball of foot, and gained a low arch which has lasted me a good few decades.


4 posted on 10/20/2024 11:03:28 AM PDT by heartwood (If you're looking for the /sarc tag, you just passed it..)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ1pe7Fsk88


5 posted on 10/20/2024 11:26:48 AM PDT by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: ConservativeMind

Who gives a hoot if you have flat feet?


6 posted on 10/20/2024 11:33:53 AM PDT by yldstrk
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To: yldstrk

Your joints, your knees, your back...


7 posted on 10/20/2024 11:37:25 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: mewzilla

And your hips.

How could I forget that...


8 posted on 10/20/2024 11:38:34 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: mewzilla

Well if you are born without an arch big deal. A way bigger deal is if you go around overweight. Stay thin and you will be fine.


9 posted on 10/20/2024 11:39:19 AM PDT by yldstrk
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To: yldstrk

After Pearl Harbor, my flat-footed grandfather volunteered and the Army didn’t want him due to flat-feet. However, he begged to serve, and they let took him in as a metal-working instructor.


10 posted on 10/20/2024 12:32:37 PM PDT by jonatron (Land of the Free, Home of the Brave)
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To: jonatron

When I went to MEPS to enter the service, the (old) doctor asked me “HOW BAD” do you want to go in to the service (I have flat feet).
I told him REAL bad. He passed me, and I went in to serve.

After I had been out of the service for a few years, I wanted to go back in, so off to MEPS again... Same MEPS and same Doctor.
He obviously didn’t remember me, lol, because he asked me the exact same question again, “HOW BAD” do you want to go in to the service..
Same answer, and same results.


11 posted on 10/20/2024 4:25:24 PM PDT by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: Bikkuri

Good job, and thank you for your service!


12 posted on 10/21/2024 4:26:21 PM PDT by jonatron (Land of the Free, Home of the Brave)
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