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A common and usually painless condition, flat feet may occur when the arches don't develop during childhood. In other cases flat feet may be caused by an injury or from the simple wear and tear stresses of age. You may have flat feet if the arch on the inside of your feet is flattened, allowing your entire foot to touch the floor when you stand up. It can sometimes cause problems in your ankles and knees because the flat feet condition can force your ankles to turn inward, throwing off the alignment of your legs. If you aren't experiencing any pain, no treatment is typically necessary at first. Do You have Flat Feet? Flat feet is typically a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. Although some people have no signs or symptoms associated with flat feet, some people may experience the following: * Foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch area
* Difficulty standing on tiptoes
* Swelling along the inside of the ankle Flat feet are generally associated with a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. When wearing shoes, they will lean toward each other after they have been worn long enough for the foot to remold their shape. Painful progressive flatfoot, or tibialis posterior tendonitis, refers to inflammation of the tendon of the tibialis posterior. Arising when the tendon becomes inflamed, stretched, or torn if left untreated may lead to severe disability and chronic pain. Other characteristics may include a toe drift, which is when the toes and front part of the foot point outward rather than straight forward. The heel may also tilt toward the outside and the ankle may appear to turn inwards. Bunions and hammertoes may develop, as well. Diagnosis and Treatment Your podiatrist will first examine your foot to observe how it looks when you stand and sit, while X-rays are usually taken to determine the severity of the disorder. If you experience symptoms with flat feet, your podiatrist may recommend non-surgical treatment options, such as: * Activity modifications
* Weight loss
* Orthotic devices
* Immobilization
* Medications
* Physical therapy
* Shoe modification In some patients, pain may not be relieved by conventional methods. When this happens, your podiatrist in Middletown may consider surgery. A variety of surgical techniques are available to correct flat feet, and one or a combination of procedures may be required to relieve the symptoms and improve foot function. Your Middletown podiatrist will properly diagnose and treat your particular case and will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of your recovery period will vary as well. Talk to your podiatrist today if you feel you are suffering from flat feet or are experiencing pain.
Foot & Ankle Institute of New England is a leading podiatrist in Warwick, RI. Providing quality foot care for infants, children and adults from three convenient locations, this Fall River, Warwick and Middletown podiatrist offers an array of foot and ankle treatments, including Middletown flat feet and heel pain relief.
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