Question
I just want to post an update.  I am now 6 months extensive flat foot reconstruction surgery.  I am thrilled with the results.  With the exception of occasional twinges, I am pretty much pain free even after working all day.  I lost 15 lbs following weight watchers and am now about 5 lbs from my target weight. I am working with a cped in shoe selection.  The cped makes custom temporary insoles to use in the shoes until my surgeon feels that I am ready for custom orthotics. I am wearing quality shoes (drew, pw minor, select new balance styles, select kumfs, durea).  I am going to pt to stretch achillese tendon and increase rom of the great toe.  My doctor told me to get away from shoes with a rocker componant so that my great toe does more of the push off.  That has definitely helped improve the rom of the great toe and also has almost alleviated the achillese tendon cramping.

It seems that there are so many bad outcomes for flat foot surgery.  I definitely did my homework in researching and selecting a surgeon with excellent skills, extensive experience performing flat foot surgery and actively involved in ongoing clinical studies at a top ranked hospital.

The recovery was really difficult, but the outcome seems to be well worth it.  Prior to surgery, even weaing a custom afo, I would get shooting pains along the ptt and into the arch after 8 or 9 steps and now, for extended periods of time, I completely forget that I ever had surgery!!!  I was also given clearance to excercise.  I just have to avoid high impact activities and activities that require twisting or will put my foot at an incline angle.  I am starting out with swimming. I am about 80 -90% of normal and know that at 6 months, it is reasonable to expect even more improvement. I just want to post a positive outcome.

Answer
This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Orthopedic Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Stacy

Sorry for the delay. Was lecturing some surgeons,
Congrats on your great flat foot surgery recovery!
For sure get away from the rocker bottom shoes. I also agree that swimming is  great rehab-And you can even try walking fast in the pool-for additional strength and resistance training.
The final exercise you should be able to do-would standing on your toes and doing toe raises. Proceed carefully and hold on to something for balance and support.
Now that you have adopted a healthy lifestyle-don't stop after your foot stops hurting---
Please continue
and
Good Luck Again!!!
Favorable Ratings are always appreciated-Thank-you

The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot& ankle surgery.
We are Podiatrists in Chicago & Elmhurst
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
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BabyFootDoc.com

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