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 ...
“Flexible Flatfoot”
I really enjoyed their music in the late 60s!
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.
Who gives a hoot if you have flat feet?
Your joints, your knees, your back...
And your hips.
How could I forget that...
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.
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.
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.
Good job, and thank you for your service!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.