Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery covers a broad category of procedures aimed at correcting the underlying structure of the foot or ankle — not just treating a symptom. That can mean flatfoot reconstruction, where a collapsed arch and shifted tendon are rebuilt to restore normal alignment, or correcting a deformity that’s developed gradually from arthritis, a prior injury, or the natural progression of a condition like adult-acquired flatfoot. For patients in Bethesda and Germantown, the goal is a foot that functions the way it should, not just one that hurts less.

Patients considering reconstructive surgery have usually noticed real changes — an arch that’s flattened over the years, a foot that’s begun to roll inward, or persistent pain and instability that conservative treatment hasn’t resolved. Because deformities like this tend to progress, addressing them earlier often means a more straightforward correction than waiting until the foot has shifted further out of alignment. Patients recovering from a severe fracture or an old injury that healed poorly are also common candidates, particularly when the original injury left the joint misaligned or unstable.

Reconstruction is rarely one-size-fits-all. Dr. Feldman evaluates your foot’s alignment, the condition of surrounding tendons and ligaments, and how far the deformity has progressed, then builds a surgical plan around your specific anatomy. Recovery is typically longer than for more limited procedures, with a period of protected weight-bearing followed by physical therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion. Because reconstruction often addresses years of gradual change, he sets a realistic timeline up front rather than promising a quick turnaround.