Flat Feet Care and Arch Support

Understanding Flat Feet

What flat feet are, why they happen, and how they can affect the rest of your body.

Flat Feet: Causes, Symptoms, and Care

Flat foot is a common condition where the foot’s arch is flattened and the entire sole of the foot touches the ground when standing. The arch of your foot is its main supportive structure. If this arch loses strength, the bony framework begins to collapse, causing your foot to flatten. Like a sagging bridge, the weakness in the middle strains the joints at both ends of your foot.

Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity. Most types share a partial or total collapse of the arch, toe drift where the toes point outward, a heel that tilts outward, and an ankle that appears to turn in. A tight Achilles tendon may make the problem worse, and bunions and hammertoes can develop as a result.

You may have no symptoms with flat feet, but the condition can cause easily-tired feet, aches in the arches and heels, difficulty standing on tip-toe, hip, leg and back pain, and swollen soles. Discomfort often does not appear for years, and walking may become awkward as strain builds on your feet and calves.

Some people are born with flat feet. Others acquire them from arthritis, trauma, or musculoskeletal disease. Flat foot also tends to run in families and can be caused by nerve issues or damaged tendons.

If you are noticing arch pain, fatigue, or changes in the shape of your foot, schedule an evaluation with SoCal Foot Care so we can examine your feet and build a treatment plan that fits your stage of the condition.

Treatment Options for Flat Feet

If flat feet are diagnosed early, nonsurgical treatment such as strapping, custom shoe inserts, or medication can often help. Non-invasive therapies include stretching exercises, physical therapy, icing, supportive taping or bracing, anti-inflammatory medication, custom-fitted orthotics to support the arch, and wearing supportive shoes.

Custom orthotics can readjust the weight-bearing position of your feet. Soft, semi-flexible, or rigid inserts may be used, depending on your weight and physical activity. Taping your feet may also help by temporarily maintaining proper foot position while symptoms settle.

For patients whose flat feet are caused by misaligned ankle bones, the EOTTS-HyProCure procedure may be an option. This minimally invasive procedure places an FDA cleared titanium stent into a naturally occurring space between the ankle and heel bones. There is no drilling or cutting, and the procedure can be performed on both children and adults and is reversible if needed.

When flat feet are more advanced, surgical reconstruction may be recommended. Depending on the stage, procedures can include tendon transfer, osteotomy of the heel bone, lateral column lengthening, gastrocnemius recession, or arthrodesis to fuse joints in the midfoot or rearfoot. Pediatric flatfoot reconstruction favors joint-sparing procedures to maximize future function.

Your podiatrist will help you choose the approach that best fits your foot type, activity level, and long-term goals.