Foot Surgeries That Fail To Eliminate Chronic Foot Pain

There are two common foot problems that cause chronic foot pain. One is a flattening of the arches (fallen arches) and the other is pain in the ball of the foot due to a dropping or elevation of one or more of the metatarsal bones. The metatarsal bones are the long bones in the front of the foot, just behind the toe bones. Jim, a person with chronic foot pain, was suffering with the dilemma of having both!

Jim was in such pain that after trying numerous foot treatments to no avail, he finally considered foot surgery as a last resort. Though he talked to numerous surgeons, none of them knew what was causing his fallen arches and unleveling of his metatarsals. But they all agreed that foot surgery was the only procedure that would eliminate Jim's foot pain.

Jim decided to trust the expertise of a well known surgeon in Barcelona, Spain, who suggested a Subtalar Joint Prosthesis.  He assured Jim that this procedure would solve his chronic foot pain problem, but that on the slim chance that it didn't; a second procedure; a Forefoot Reconstruction, most certainly would.

Before undergoing the surgery, Jim asked my opinion.  I told him that both of these foot surgeries have their place, in the right conditions. But because he has an inherited abnormal foot structure, the Preclinical Clubfoot Deformity, both of these surgeries would fail.

Jim decided to go ahead with the Subtalar Joint Prosthesis.  It didn't work.  The surgeon then assured him that the Forefoot Reconstruction would.  It didn't: Jim ended up in excruciating pain.

In order to explain why these foot surgeries didn't work, let's first take a closer look at the purpose of these two procedures:
A Subtalar Joint Prosthesis is commonly performed to correct fallen arches.   An implant is placed inside the subtalar joint (the joint in the foot which is immediately below the ankle joint) in an attempt to decrease the excessive subtalar joint pronation (hyperpronation) In other words, a stopper (like a cork) is inserted inside the subtalar joint to prevent the foot from rotating inward, forward and downward (flattening of the arch).

A Forefoot Reconstruction is done to correct the unleveling of the foot metatarsal bones. The surgeon breaks one or more of the metatarsal bones, resetting them with screws, so that all the metatarsal bones sit level to one another and participate equally in supporting the body's weight (as the patient stands or walks).
 

When Foot Surgeries Fail To Eliminate Chronic Foot Pain

 

Now knowing the purpose of these two foot surgeries, we can better understand why they sometimes fail:

The Subtalar Joint Prosthesis works in some cases; but not if you have a Rothbarts Foot or PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity. This is because either of these abnormal foot structures creates hyperpronation when the body's weight is over the front part of the foot.  The subtalar joint implant only works when the body's weight is over the heel bone.

A Forefoot Reconstruction is effective if you have one or more dropped metatarsal bones.  But it doesn't work in the presence of a structurally elevated metatarsal bone, as is the case with a Rothbarts Foot or PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

If Jim's doctors had recognized the presence of his Preclinical Clubfoot Deformity and understood this abnormal foot structure, they would have never suggested he do either of these surgeries. Especially the Forefoot Reconstruction, which is irreversible.

Jim could have been successfully treated with Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy, which addresses his abnormal foot structure – the cause of his fallen arches and pain in the ball of his feet.  

Jim's story of chronic foot pain did not have a happy ending. But yours can.  If you have chronic foot pain, why struggle with temporary fixes or a foot surgery that can only make the problem worse?
 

To find out if you may have one of two common inherited, abnormal foot structures that cause chronic foot pain, take the Rothbarts Foot Questionnaire.
 

As you learn more about my innovative therapy, you may find that addressing and effectively treating your foot structure may be the missing link to ending your long time battle with unrelenting knee, hip and back pain.

If you have questions about what's involved in being treated with Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy, see our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Page by clicking here.

If you would like to contact me regarding an appointment to resolve your pain, click here.

 Professor/Dr. Brian A. Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain