title: Approach and treatment of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity.
abstract: Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), embraces a wide spectrum of deformities. AAFD is a complex pathology consisting both of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency and failure of the capsular and ligamentous structures of the foot. Each patient presents with characteristic deformities across the involved joints, requiring individualized treatment. Early stages may respond well to aggressive conservative management, yet more severe AAFD necessitates prompt surgical therapy to halt the progression of the disease to stages requiring more complex procedures. We present the most current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AAFD, based on the most pertinent literature and our own experience and investigations.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Department, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA, ettorevulcano@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vulcano
authors.forename: Jonathan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Deland
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ellis