Flat Feet Treatment

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What Are Flat Feet?

If your feet seem to have no arch and excessively roll inward and downward toward the floor while standing, it’s likely that you have flat feet. Even if your feet appear to have a defined arch when sitting or with your foot off the ground, it’s the position while standing that matters most. This inward rolling, known as pronation, can put extra stress on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the feet, potentially leading to foot pain.
flat feet

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What Causes Flat Feet?

Excess pronation can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Hypermobility: This refers to increased flexibility due to laxity in the tissues and ligaments, including those in the feet, leading to pronation. This affects about 10% of the population.
  • Soft tissue injuries: Conditions like posterior tibial tendon dysfunction can contribute to pronation.
  • Hereditary conditions: Bony or soft tissue abnormalities in the foot can disrupt normal walking patterns, causing the foot to “unlock” and the arch to fall toward the ground.
  • Abnormal muscle length or weak muscles: These can contribute to pronation.
  • Pregnancy and hormonal changes: Hormonal shifts can affect the ligaments and joints, contributing to pronation.
  • Medical conditions: Conditions like arthritis and diabetes can affect foot function and lead to excess pronation.
  • Abnormal leg rotations: These can cause changes in the mechanics of the feet and lead to pronation.
  • Leg length differences: Uneven leg lengths can lead to compensatory pronation.
  • Spinal conditions: Issues like scoliosis can affect posture and lead to pronation.
  • Muscle spasticity: Conditions such as cerebral palsy can cause muscle tightness, contributing to abnormal foot mechanics.

 

The impact of pronation varies from person to person. Some may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience pain due to the abnormal forces pronation places on the body, potentially leading to a range of bone and soft tissue issues.

Flat Foot Symptoms

When flat feet or excessive pronation become problematic, symptoms can develop in various areas of the body, including:
  • Feet: Bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses
  • Heels: Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, heel pain, Sever’s disease
  • Shins: Shin splints, posterior tibial tendinopathy (PTTD)
  • Knees: Patellofemoral syndrome, chondromalacia (runner’s knee), Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
  • Thighs: Iliotibial band syndrome
  • Hips: Greater trochanter bursitis
  • Upper and lower back: Sciatica, disc protrusion
  • Neck and head: Poor postural alignment, which may be related to conditions like kyphosis

 

You may also notice that the inside edges of your shoes wear out faster and observe some “bulging” on the inside of your ankle.

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How To Treat Flat Feet

At Priority Podiatry Clinic, our podiatrist will conduct a thorough biomechanical assessment of your feet, legs, knees, and hips to identify the root cause of your symptoms.

We use computerised video gait analysis software to analyse your walking pattern and assess how any abnormal forces may be affecting your gait. Afterward, your podiatrist will discuss treatment options, which often include custom foot orthotics designed to address any abnormal forces contributing to foot pain, leg discomfort, or other symptoms.

A 3D scan of your feet is taken, and a detailed prescription is created for your orthotics. These orthotics are tailored to fit comfortably inside your footwear, supporting your feet and arch in the most optimal position to help improve alignment, posture, and relieve strain from overused muscles.

Your podiatrist will also recommend the best footwear for your feet and ensure your current shoes are not hindering your recovery. Proper footwear is crucial for supporting and stabilising your feet, improving the efficiency of your muscles, joints, bones, and ligaments.

Your treatment plan will be fully customised based on your symptoms and the underlying cause of your flat feet. This plan may also include exercises, mobilisation, manipulation, massage, footwear recommendations, postural balance programs, and more. All of these treatment options will be discussed with your podiatrist if they are deemed necessary.

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Flat Feet FAQ's

The pain associated with flat feet isn’t caused by the foot type itself but by specific muscles and tissues that are overworked and strained. To effectively relieve pain, it’s essential to identify and address these specific structures. Treatment may involve temporary measures such as strapping tape, long-term solutions like custom foot orthotics, or addressing injuries with treatments such as shockwave therapy or other appropriate options. Pain relief must be tailored to each individual, focusing on the structures in the feet that are injured or causing discomfort

Shoes with built-in arch support are an excellent starting point for managing flat feet. They help provide stability and support for the foot and ankle. It’s important to choose shoes suited to your specific activity, whether it’s exercise, work, or daily wear. For optimal support, the shoes should wrap around the ankle and feature secure fastening mechanisms, ensuring the foot remains stable and well-supported throughout the day.

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