Flat Feet Symptoms & Treatments

Do you know what type of arches you have? If you have flexible flat feet, that means your arches touch the floor when you put weight on your feet. While the condition doesn’t cause problems for everyone, having untreated flat feet can increase the occurrence of hammertoes, bunions, and Achilles tendonitis. Flat feet can create problems with your gait mechanics as well, which can lead to painful effects radiating up your spinal column to your knees, hips, and back.

Some other symptoms associated with flexible flatfeet include the following:

●      Pain in the arch, heel, and ankle, or on the outside edge of the foot

●      Shin splints

●      Rolling your ankle over when you walk (overpronation)

●      Aching and tiredness in your feet and legs

To determine the severity of your flat feet, your foot doctor will perform a physical examination and may need to do imaging studies to assess the progression of your flat feet problems. Computerized gait analysis can also be performed for accurate assessments of your foot mechanics.

Some of the treatment options for flat feet include the following:

●      NSAIDS to treat pain and inflammation

●      Relieve pressure on the arch by losing weight

●      Change your activity level to avoid repetitive strain on the arches

●      Use arch supports and custom orthotic inserts

●      Physical therapy exercises

●      Surgery may be necessary for severe problems

If you are experiencing flat feet complications, see your foot doctor for the proper care. At E.J. Nemet, DPM in Twinsburg, OH, Dr. Nemet treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems, diabetic foot complications, nerve disorders, and toenail and skin conditions. With advanced technologies and compassionate staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact us or to schedule an appointment, call (234) 212-9940 today!