Question
I have a question....my son is 14 and he has worn orthodics since he was six..he has severe pronation and looks like he is walking on the side of his foot....His podiatrist said he should have an operation where they insert a doorstop like structure so he wont pronate...and if he doesn't get surgery the likelihood of him having knee problems in the future is great....well we took him to the Shriners hospital in Philly to see an orthopedic specialists and he said he did not need surgery and that him having knee problems was absolutely ludicrous...now we are faced with a dilemma, we don't know who to believe...do you have any input..  Thank you!

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says.......

Dear Stef,

The best reasons to do foot surgery for severe pronation are that the patient has pain,or cannot wear "regular" shoes or wears them out quickly,or has problems in athletics. Does he become knock-kneed when he comes out of his orthotics?
Pronation may lead to posterior tibial dysfunction in adult life-where you lose the ability to raise yourself on your toes. If your son cannot raise himself on his tiptoes single leg with the other leg up-try both sides, then consider the surgery and seek a second opinion from a Board Certified Podiatrist. Also may sure that the Podiatrist has used the "doorstop" for a minimum of 3 years. That way the podiatrist has seen any problems associated with the procedure. Ask him to review all pros and cons of the surgery. The usual cons beside the small risk of infection is the intolerance or the implant-which fortunately usually comes out easy, possible numbness by the incision. The pros usually outweigh the cons for the right patient.
Although Shriners have amazing doctors who are probably smarter than me-they are wrong about the knee problems. I am currently many much older patients with severe pronation with many symptoms in their ankles and knees. Shriners take care of kids and they never see them again as seniors.
Take your time to make up your mind.

We do these kinds of second opinions and are located within 35 minutes of both Chicago airports

Hope This Helps
Good Luck!

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
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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