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Flat feet are a complex disorder and are a common condition of the foot structure. Infants and toddlers have flat feet prior to walking, which are normal, because the longitudinal arch is not developed just yet. Most feet are flexible and an arch appears when children begin to stand on their toes and continues to develop throughout childhood. By adulthood most people will have developed normal arches. And for those who don’t develop a normal arch, they often have flat feet. Additionally, flat feet are not always painful, but when they are treatment may be necessary to alleviate the pain. What are flat feet and do I have them? 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. Symptoms that may occur in people with flat feet include: • Low back, hip or knee pain
• Pain along the shin bone (also known as shin splints)
• General aching or fatigue in the foot or leg
• “Rolled-in” ankle
• Pain in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot How your Podiatrist can help Your local Fall River podiatrist can help in the diagnosis and treatment process of flat feet. Depending on the severity of your condition, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, icing, physical therapy, supportive taping, bracing, and orthotics may be used in the treatment of your flat feet. Consult your physician before taking any medications or performing any sort of treatments yourself. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair a torn or damaged tendon restoring it to normal function. In severe cases, surgery on the midfoot bones may also be required to treat the flatfoot condition, but this is to be determined by your podiatrist. Surgery may also include lengthening of the Achilles tendon or a cut in the muscle fibers that form the Achilles tendon, a cut in the heel bone, and a procedure along the arch of your foot to recreate an arch. If you feel you have flat feet and are suffering from mild to severe pain, visit your local Warwick podiatrist for further consultation on what can be done to help alleviate the pain. Again, always consult your podiatrist before taking treatment into your own hands or if the pain persists. Flat feet are not always noticeably painful, but when they are, treatment is available.
Foot & Ankle Institute of New England is a leading podiatrist in Warwick and Middletown in RI and Fall River in MA. 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 heel pain relief and flat foot care.
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