Flat Feet Symptoms and Treatments
While having untreated flat feet doesn't cause problems for everyone, flat feet can cause considerable foot and ankle pain for many people. The often-unconscious alteration in foot placement to avoid arch pain can also cause alignment problems and pain with your knees, hips, and back as well. Untreated flat feet can also lead to more instances of hammertoe and bunion formation, so see your foot doctor for the proper care.
Some of the symptoms of flat feet include the following:
Debilitating pain—In the arch, heel, ankle, and outside edge of the foot.
Shin splints—People with untreated flat feet are more likely to have this problem.
Overpronation—Rolling your ankle to the outside when you walk and altering your gait.
Pronounced aching—Tiredness in your feet and lower legs.
Our podiatrist will perform a physical examination and computerized gait analysis to check for pronation problems. They may also require imaging studies to assess the severity of your flat feet.
Treatments for flat feet may include the following:
Medications—You may take OTC medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen in moderation to treat pain and inflammation.
Weight reduction—You can relieve some of the pressure on the arch by losing weight.
Change your activity level—Switch to low impact activities like cycling to help avoid repetitive strain on the arches.
Orthotics—Properly formed and placed arch supports and custom orthotic inserts can relieve flat feet problems and treat many foot and ankle conditions.
Physical therapy exercises—A variety of exercises can increase strength and flexibility and relieve arch pain and discomfort.
Surgery—In rare cases, foot surgery may be necessary.
If you are suffering from foot and ankle problems from flat feet, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Call Valley Stream Podiatry , located in Valley Stream, New York. With access to advanced technologies, Dr. Andrew Shapiro, Dr. Michael Barkin and Dr. Sajni Shah can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, children’s foot pain, ankle sprains, bunions, hammertoes, toenail and skin ailments. Call (516) 825-3860 or make an appointment online today.