Timing can be everything. Think about sports and how being in the right place at the right time can make or break a play. Even in board games, like chess, choosing to make certain moves at the appropriate time means the difference between success and failure. This also holds true when you choose treatment for your family’s foot care, especially with an issue like tarsal coalition. Knowing when to consider tarsal coalition surgery can be important for your child’s successful recovery.
Tarsal coalition is a rigid flatfoot issue that is present from birth, but doesn’t show symptoms until a child is older—usually in the preteen or teen years. The pain is the result of two tarsal bones abnormally fused together by a bridge or bar of excess tissue. This bridge is usually made of bone, cartilage, or a fibrous tissue. When your child hits a certain age and the bone in the feet finishes growing, the bar can harden. This impairs foot movement and causes pain.
In many cases, the condition can be treated conservatively. For some teens, however, simply casting and reducing pressure on the foot won’t help in the long run. They need a more involved, permanent solution: tarsal coalition surgery. Deciding if it’s time for surgery for your teen can be daunting, but several factors can show you that it’s the right choice.
Here are a few signs it’s time for surgery:
- Conservative Treatments aren’t Working – If noninvasive care doesn’t relieve pain, your teen needs other care options.
- Your Teen is Developing Arthritis – This joint damage can cause chronic pain. Your teen might need a joint fusion to get real relief.
- Your Child is Still Young – Younger children with symptoms and without arthritis are frequently able to regain foot flexibility after surgery.
Every child and teen is different and has different needs. Whether or not your teen needs tarsal coalition surgery will depend on his or her unique feet. Don’t shy away from a procedure and let pain get worse! Have our experts at Absolute Foot Care Specialists help you make an informed decision as to which treatments are best for your family. Call (702) 839-2010 or use our website to make an appointment at our Las Vegas offices.
