Question
My husband is 26 years old and has suffered from severe bilateral foot pain for more than a year. He saw a podiatrist and was diagnosed with sever flat feet. He had custom orthotics made and was placed on Ultram. He is still in sever pain. He then saw a foot surgeon and they told my husband his flat feet is caused my his calf muscles being too tight. The doctor recommended surgery to lengthen the calf muscle. Does this sound like something that would fix the problem? Or could there be something else going on? I'd hate for him to go through this surgery and not get relief.

Answer
If the orthotics helped even a little then you should continue with them and possibly seek an adjustment to the orthotic. What about stretching and exercises? Please give those a try beforeYou can lengthen your calf muscle up to an inch with stretching! you think about surgery. If these conservative measures continue to fail seek a second opinion. If the recommendation in still surgery, then  pick the doctor who appears to be the best. Talk to te patients in the reception area. Are they smiling.Obviously look at the surgical credentials also
Dr George Tsatsos-Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist
Board Certified Foot & Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
AnkleNFoot.com

Not med advice-just info for all