You may have seen your share of advertisements for insoles, or seen them at your local drugstore.
Or, you may have noticed that running shoes have a built-in arch to make it more comfortable when you’re jogging or running.
This is to help support your arches.
Foot arches exist to act as a springboard and shock absorber as you walk.
They help you adapt to uneven surfaces and protect the nerves in your soles.
Your feet have an arch to them that extends from your heels to the balls of your feet – or at least, they’re supposed to.
About 20 – 30% of the population have flat feet instead.
This is a condition known in medicine as “pes planus”.
It may not seem like a big deal, but flat feet can become serious over time.
But the good news is a foot doctor can help.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at flat feet and some available treatment methods.
What Is Flat Feet?
We’re all born with flat feet.
As babies learn to walk, their feet start to develop arches in the sole to help stabilize their ankles.
If one or both of your feet never develop those arches, that’s referred to as flat feet (pes planus).
There are different severities of flat feet, and different categories it can fall into:
Flexible flat foot: This is when your feet have the arches when raised, but the arch flattens when you stand.
Rigid flat foot: A rarer type of flat feet, your foot has no arch when standing or sitting.
You may find it difficult to flex your feet up and down, or side to side.
How Do You Know If You Have Flat Feet?
There are many signs of flat feet you may want to be alert for, but flat feet doesn’t always cause symptoms.
Flat feet do change the way you walk, regardless.
If you have flat feet, you may feel:
- Ankle pain from overpronation
- Foot pain after walking
- Shin splints from overcompensating
- Abnormal gait or gait disorders
- Chronic pain
- Deformities that can develop like hammertoes or bunions
In addition to these, you can form secondary conditions like lower back pain, knee pain, and pain in your hips.
In more serious cases of flat feet, you may notice:
- The arch on the inner side of your sole appears to touch the ground
- Your flattened arch makes your ankle roll inward and heel point outward
- The bone on the inner side of your foot (the talus bone) sticks out
You might be at higher risk for posterior tibial tendonitis, ankle instability and sprains, foot and ankle arthritis, and repetitive strain injuries as well.
We can diagnose pes planus at any stage with a physical examination.
We observe your movement, gait, and the shape and position of your or your child’s feet.
What Are The Main Causes Of Congential Flat Feet?
Some flat feet could be due to a congenital condition or something you were born with or develop as a child once your bones mature over time.
There are a number of different diagnoses that may cause flat feet.
Congenital conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Cerebral palsy
- Clubfoot
- Down syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Joint hypermobility syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Osteogensis imperfecta
- Tarsal coalition
Is Flat Feet A Disability?
Generally speaking, flat feet shouldn’t prevent you from your activities, in spite of the challenges they can cause.
In some cases, people with flat feet don’t even find it noticeable or need treatment.
We may recommend certain nonsurgical treatments if you’re finding your flat feet are causing you pain, but these are non-invasive and can easily become routine.
For more advanced cases, though, we may recommend surgery.
In particular, if you are a veteran experiencing the symptoms of pes planus, there are VA disability benefits that may help.
Is Congenital Flat Feet The Same As Fallen Arches?
These two conditions are similar.
Both cause your arches to be flatter than normal.
The difference, however, is the cause.
With Congenital flat feet, you could have just been born with flat feet or have lower arches once you are skeletally mature.
Fallen arches can happen later in life, and have a number of different causes with newer terminology that includes Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity.
How Can A Podiatrist Treat Flat Feet?
In some cases, you may not have received a diagnosis of flat feet as a child.
In others, you may be concerned your child has flat feet.
In either case, we can help.
Following a physical examination, we’ll take stock of your symptoms and may recommend any of the following:
- Orthotic shoe inserts
- Pain management solutions
- Physical exercises to strengthen and stretch your feet
- Walking supports
If your case of flat foot is fairly mild, there’s a good chance we can address it with more conservative treatment approaches.
However, more severe cases could require surgical intervention.
But with the right supports, we’ll work to keep you mobile.
Book Your Appointment With Our Podiatry Clinic Today
Do you or your child have flat feet?
If so, we’re here to help.
Flat feet may seem minor, but they can lead to discomfort, joint strain, and long-term mobility issues if left unaddressed.
Whether you’re dealing with mild symptoms or more advanced structural changes, early intervention can make a big difference.
Our podiatry clinic in Vienna, VA offers personalized treatment plans to support your comfort and keep you active.
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen — take the first step toward relief.
Book your appointment with the Chesapeake Foot And Ankle Institute today to get started.
