Flat Feet Specialist

What are flat feet?

Your feet have arches that form gaps between their soles and the ground when you stand. If there is no gap and all parts of your soles touch the ground, you have flat feet. Flat feet can be a natural feature present from childhood or develop with time as your feet withstand pressure. 

In many cases, flat feet are no cause for concern. You might not even realize that you have flat feet since they often don’t cause any discomfort. However, there is a purpose to having arches. They distribute your body weight evenly as you stand and walk across a variety of surfaces and give some spring to your step. 

You can adapt to having flat feet, but they can also affect the way you walk. You might place too much pressure on the inner sides of your feet, causing them to splay outward. 

What are the complications of having flat feet?

In some cases, flat feet cause foot pain, especially in the heel or in the area where you would typically have an arch. The pain might get worse when you walk. 

Because of the abnormal stresses on your joints that occur when your feet point outward, you might get pain or swelling in areas other than your feet. You might feel discomfort in your knees, hips, calves, or lower back.

If you have other complications associated with your feet, your flat feet can make their symptoms worse. You might experience more pain with:

• Achilles tendinitis
• Arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bunions
• Shin splints

At New York City Ankle & Foot, the team can help you find out whether or not you have flat feet and if they contribute to pain somewhere in your body. 

How are flat feet treated?

If your flat feet don’t cause symptoms on their own and don’t contribute to other complications, treatment generally isn’t necessary. If your flat feet require treatment, the team at New York City Ankle & Foot can guide you to a solution. They typically start with conservative treatments and offer surgery if your flat feet are severe. Your treatment plan for flat feet might include:

Custom orthotics

Orthotic devices slip into your shoes to provide extra support for your feet. They won’t give you an arch, but they can help distribute your weight and relieve flat feet symptoms. 

Exercise and physical therapy

The team at New York City Ankle & Foot can help you learn to stretch your Achilles tendon and perform other physical therapy exercises to ease your symptoms. 

Medications

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce the pain associated with flat feet. 

Flatfoot reconstruction surgery

During flatfoot reconstruction surgery, the team repairs tendons and ligaments and may move some bones in the bottom of your foot to restore your arch.

For more information about flat feet and treatments for their symptoms, call New York City Ankle & Foot or book an appointment online today.