Cinderella Foot Surgery

Splay foot is a common condition which describes the spreading of the toes which causes the disappearance of the transverse arch of the foot, causing pain and tenderness. As a result, people with splay foot end up changing the way they walk, rolling over the outside edge of the foot rather than ‘pushing off’ over the big toe. This puts a strain on the foot and causes the muscles and ligaments in the foot to become weak, flattening the transverse foot arch and causing splay foot. It can also cause calluses to form on the soles of the foot. People with splay foot may also experience feelings of numbness, tingling or burning across the bottom of the foot.

Stiff footwear and high heels are the main culprits as they limit the foot’s movement, causing it to get progressively weaker. Other causes of splay foot include being overweight, previous injury or trauma and underlying medical conditions such as rheumatism or bone diseases.

Splay foot results in abnormal posture which can have a negative impact on other parts of the body, for example it may cause pain or arthritis to develop in the knees. So it is important that the condition is treated.

An alternative name for splay foot, this is characterised by spread toes and fallen arches. This results in pain or discomfort, causing a person to adjust the way they walk, causing further foot problems as well as problems with other parts of the body due to a change in posture. Spread foot makes it difficult to fit the foot into certain styles of footwear.

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a gradual dislocation of the big toe joint due to the failure of supporting ligaments and tendons around the big toe joint. This results in a large bony lump on the side of the big toe, which can be very painful. People with bunions may also find that their big toe points towards their other toes or the presence of a bunion may result in an area of hard or swollen skin, which may appear red or a darker colour than the surrounding skin. 

A tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, appears on the little toe. Although these are not as common as bunions, they are similar in symptoms and causes. These symptoms include swelling, redness and pain or discomfort.

Toe shortening is a key part of the procedure. Depending on the severity and length of the toe, there are several methods to surgically shorten a toe. In general, the surgery involves removing a portion of the bone at the contracted joint, to realign the toe. A metal pin may be placed in the toe during the recovery period.

Although it is not guaranteed, toe shortening may result in a smaller shoe size.

Also known as osteotomy, foot shaving is used to remove painful and unsightly bunions. It involves cutting the joint of the big toe and realigning it or removing it. Often screws or plates are used to keep the bones in their new position. This can help stop the pain caused by bunions. Techniques and advancements in screw and plate technology allow early weight-bearing and minimally invasive techniques. This means a quicker recovery time for those undergoing foot surgery.

In the most serious of cases, the surgeon may suggest that an artificial implant is used. If arthritis is a factor, then using an implant can help to improve the range of motion in the big toe.

There are two different ways that injectables can be used in Cinderella Foot Surgery. Anti-ageing injectables, such as Botox, are used to further improve the aesthetics of the foot by removing wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming. Anti-ageing injectables also serve to prevent fungal growth and stop the feet from sweating. However the effects of anti-ageing injectables are only temporary and this part of the process will need to be repeated to maintain the result. The effects of anti-ageing injectables can last for anywhere between three and six months on average. This figure depends on how quickly your body is able to break down the toxins.

Cinderella Foot Surgery can also help women to walk more comfortably in high heels by utilising fat injections. For this part of the procedure, fat is taken from another part of the body and treated before being injected right into the soles of the feet to create a comfortable padding on the bottom of the feet.