Have your arches slowly fallen, leaving your feet aching, tired, and rolling inward with every step? Adult-acquired flatfoot is a progressive condition that quietly steals stability from your stride, but the right surgical plan can rebuild your arch and restore confident, pain-free movement.
Dr. D. Sean Sweeney, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Christy Leahey, DPM, FACFAS, at Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists bring more than two decades of trusted reconstructive expertise to every patient. As an award-winning practice voted Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012, the team is uniquely qualified to guide you through advanced flatfoot reconstruction.
What Is Adult-Acquired Flatfoot?
Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity, also called posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, is the gradual collapse of the arch caused by damage to the posterior tibial tendon. This tendon acts like a stirrup that supports the inside of your foot, and when it weakens or tears, the arch flattens. The condition most often affects middle-aged and older adults, but risk factors include obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use, trauma, and a naturally low arch.
The Four Stages of Deformity
- Stage 1: Tendon inflammation with normal strength and minimal arch change.
- Stage 2: Partial tearing and noticeable arch flattening, without arthritis.
- Stage 3: Complete tendon failure, collapsed arch, and arthritic changes.
- Stage 4: Stage 3 changes plus arthritis in the ankle joint.
Surgical Options Tailored to Your Stage
Surgery is customized to the severity of your deformity, and the goal is always a more functional, stable, pain-free foot.
- Stage 1: If conservative care, such as orthotics, casting, or a Richie Brace, fails, surgery may involve removing inflamed tissue and repairing the tendon.
- Stage 2: A subtalar arthroereisis—a brief 15-minute outpatient procedure—places a small, reversible implant to correct hyperpronation while preserving normal motion. A tendon transfer using the flexor digitorum longus may also be performed.
- Stage 3: Healthy candidates often benefit from fusion procedures such as a double or triple arthrodesis, which fuses the subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints to correct deformity and relieve arthritis.
- Stage 4: Treatment mirrors Stage 3 with the added fusion of the ankle joint.
Recovery and Potential Complications
Recovery time depends on the procedure performed and the demands of your job. Most patients follow a structured non-weight-bearing period followed by a gradual return to activity. Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists supports your healing with in-office physical therapy and MLS laser therapy, an FDA-cleared treatment with an 85–90% efficacy rate for reducing pain, inflammation, and post-surgical swelling.
As with any surgery, possible complications include infection, slow bone healing, stiffness, recurrence of deformity, or the need for additional procedures. Following your surgeon’s weight-bearing instructions is the single most important step in avoiding setbacks.
Why Choose Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Surgery in The Woodlands, TX?
Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists has spent more than 20 years caring for the Houston area with a patient-centered approach grounded in compassion, integrity, and excellence. Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Leahey are board-certified surgeons who combine experienced clinical judgment with advanced technology, including Nano Flex regenerative injections, MLS laser therapy, and custom orthotics, to deliver comprehensive reconstructive care.
As a leading provider of foot surgery in The Woodlands, the practice offers thoughtful pre-surgical planning, coordinated recovery support, and warm, approachable communication at every step. Prompt appointments, two convenient locations, and a 14-year streak as Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands make Sweeney Foot & Ankle the trusted choice for complex foot reconstruction.
Take the Next Step Toward a Stable, Pain-Free Foot
Adult-acquired flatfoot is progressive, but with the right surgical strategy, you can regain comfort, stability, and mobility. From tendon repair and subtalar arthroereisis to advanced fusion procedures, Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists offers the full spectrum of solutions tailored to your stage and goals.
Schedule a consultation at our Woodlands office at (281) 292-4944 or our Magnolia office at (281) 789-4956 to start your path toward lasting relief.