Tests required to confirm surgery, which can be done in our clinic within 1 day: ankle X-ray (standing) and MRI.
*It is recommended to operate second foot after 6 months once the operated foot is fully prepared to withstand a double load.
The price includes Hintegra and other highest quality implants. The implant option will be discussed in greater detail once the surgeon reviews your medical documentation.
Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
Tests required to confirm surgery, which can be done in our clinic within 1 day: ankle X-ray (standing) and MRI.
*It is recommended to operate second foot after 6 months once the operated foot is fully prepared to withstand a double load.
The price includes Hintegra and other highest quality implants. The implant option will be discussed in greater detail once the surgeon reviews your medical documentation.
Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
Our clinic works with highly professional and educated surgeons. They have 10-20 years of experience in the field of orthopaedic surgery. They each perform 500 surgeries per year. Moreover, our surgeons are members of various prestigious surgical societies both Lithuanian and international. Our joint replacement surgeon S. Tarasevicius is an author of 150 scientific publications in different medical journals. Find more information about our surgeons here.
Our clinic works according to the highest standards set by the European Union. This helps to guarantee the quality of medical service.
During your entire stay in Lithuania you will receive personal care as well as transport to and from the clinic, hotel, and airport. You will not have to worry about a thing. You will be assisted from the moment of plane landing in Vilnius or Kaunas airport till your departure.
We have no waiting line so we can schedule your surgery as soon as you are ready to do so.
Everyone in our clinic speaks English, including nurses, assistants and the surgeon.
2-3 hour regular flights operate from all main airports in the UK & Ireland. Lithuania is closer than you thought. You can find the list of direct flights here. Please note that airlines constantly add new flights and new destinations, therefore feel free to contact us if you need help choosing the flight that suits you best.
Lithuania has been a part of the EU and NATO since 2004. Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in the whole region and the second fastest internet speed in the world. Lithuanian medical schools have trained many medical professionals who are highly appreciated and employed by many foreign hospitals, among which hospitals in the UK. Our clinic works according to the highest standards set to the medical institutions by the European Union.
Our clinic is open and operates in accordance with all safety requirements. All the procedures are implemented as usual. You can read about the latest COVID-19 updates here.
Flat foot, also known as pes planus, is a common foot deformity. It is characterized by a flattened arch of the foot which comes in contact with the ground when standing and walking. The majority of people with flat feet do not experience any discomfort; however, as the deformity gets worse a flat foot can become very painful. Arch pain, muscle fatigue, heel pain, increasing deformity or ankle pain, are the most frequent symptoms. Not only is flat foot painful but it also makes it challenging to find comfortable shoes.
From an anatomical perspective, there are numerous underlying causes for flat feet. It is usually caused by excessive laxity of the ligaments, but may also be a result of several medical conditions, such as obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or trauma. When the arch-supporting ligaments and tendons overstretch, they fail to hold the bones in an anatomically correct position. One of the most important structures holding the foot is the tibialis posterior tendon. If it gets injured or becomes too loose, the foot arch will collapse. Other flatfoot causes include rearfoot equinus, arthritis, neuroarthropathy, and muscle imbalance.
Flat feet affect multiple joints and require individualized care. The treatment can range from conservative care to surgical intervention, or a combination of both. Some patients respond well to just conservative management, while others with more severe deformities require surgical treatment.
Before considering surgery, all patients should first undergo conservative treatment. It entails patient education on biomechanical support (e.g. shoewear modification), home therapy (e.g. lower-foot stretching and strengthening exercises), and medication (anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids). Studies show that as many as 87 % of patients do not require further surgical treatment.
Surgery is only indicated when conservative treatment has not helped in 3 months or more. There are many surgical techniques designed for different flat foot stages. Therefore, the exact surgical procedure is determined by the stage and condition of the deformity.
Flat foot can be of different severity. Some people do not have any symptoms, while others experience pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility. In general, flat feet conditions can be flexible or rigid. In a flexible deformity, the arch is only seen when a patient stands on their tiptoes. In a rigid flat foot deformity, the arch is not present when standing normally or on the tiptoes. There are 4 flat foot stages that determine the exact treatment approach and surgical technique.
The first stage flat foot does not require surgical care and is mostly managed with conservative treatment.
The second stage (mild to moderate, flexible deformity) can be treated with several different surgical approaches, including calcaneal osteotomy, tendon transfer, or sinus tarsi implants.
The third stage (a highly progressed, fixed deformity) is usually corrected with joint fusion surgery. During bone fusion, bones of the feet are positioned correctly and fixed together. Proper bone alignment alleviates pain and provides good support for a whole body.
The fourth stage includes not only deformities of the feet, but also ankle deformities. The most common procedures include tendon transfer, ankle joint fusion, and others.
Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, meaning that the patient is unconscious and does not feel any pain. The foot is additionally injected with numbing medication to control pain once general anaesthesia wears off. The exact surgical approach varies from patient to patient. A surgical plan is discussed before the surgery, so the patient knows what to expect.
Firstly, a surgeon makes a few incisions in the foot and then reconstructs the bones, ligaments, and tendons. The two most common surgical techniques are tibialis posterior tendon reconstruction and calcaneal osteotomy. In tibialis posterior tendon reconstruction, the damaged tendon is replaced with a tendon graft, which is harvested from another muscle, like flexor digitorum longus. During calcaneal osteotomy, the bone of the heel is fixed in a correct position to provide better support for the foot arch. When the foot’s arch is restored, the surgeon closes the sutures and places the foot in a plaster cast to the knee.
Immediately after flat foot surgery the patient is closely monitored by the hospital staff. The operated leg is placed in a plaster cast, numb and pain-free. The duration of the hospital stay depends on the patient’s health state. Before leaving the clinic, the patient is given a follow-up appointment, instructions on wound care, and painkillers (if required). Patients can expect to drive again 8 weeks after or when the doctor allows them to do so. Immediately after flat foot surgery the patient is closely monitored by the hospital staff. The operated leg is placed in a plaster cast, numb and pain-free. The duration of the hospital stay depends on the patient’s health state. Before leaving the clinic, the patient is given a follow-up appointment, instructions on wound care, and painkillers (if required). Patients can expect to drive again 8 weeks after or when the doctor allows them to do so.
During the first 2 weeks, the operated leg should be elevated for as long as possible. The plaster should be kept completely dry, but a patient can shower with a waterproof cover over the leg. The patient should not put weight on the leg, rest as much as possible, and walk with the crutches only when needed. After 2 weeks, there is a follow-up appointment to check on the wound and fit a new plaster cast or boot. After 6 weeks post-surgery, patients can wear their shoes with insoles and begin putting weight on the operated leg.
Patients with sedentary jobs can expect to return to work within 4 weeks. If their job involves physical work, it can take up to 12 weeks. Each patient has an individualized rehabilitation program that focuses on gait re-education (walking correctly) and stiffness prevention. The patients can either choose to exercise at home or in a clinic with a physiotherapist. With time, rehabilitation exercises advance to more difficult balance and strengthening exercises. During recovery, it is highly important to avoid smoking and taking anti-inflammatory medications since they prolong wound healing and increase complication risk.
Most patients return to their regular activities and sports within 6 months after surgery. Flat foot surgery improves weight distribution and alignment of the feet, so the patients no longer experience chronic pain and inflammation. In short, flatfoot surgery improves life quality and allows the person to live actively with no discomfort.