Flat Feet

Description

A flat foot occurs when the bones that make up the arch in the foot collapse, making the arch lay flat and the entire sole of the foot to touch the ground.

Symptoms

Symptoms include low or flat arch(es), difficulty walking, difficulty fitting into shoes, pain in the foot, leg, knee, or back, and callus formation.

Treatment Options

Shoe modification, supportive taping, NSAIDs, icing, physical therapy, and custom orthotics are some of the treatment options for a painful, progressive flat foot deformity. If conservative treatment fails, surgery may be required. 

Treatment Option Description (with Duration)

Shoe and activity modification can help with flat fee: wearing proper fitting shoes is key. Our podiatrists can help you choose the right type of shoe for your foot type. Depending on the severity of the pain, you may need to avoid high-impact exercises and/or require a period of immobilization for pain relief. Custom orthotics are recommended as a long-term solution for flat feet to prevent injuries and long-term knee damage.

Your podiatrist may recommend:

• Daily taping of your feet to help provide arch support.
• Icing the affected area and taking an OTC NSAID may help with immediate relief of pain. 
• Physical therapy may be prescribed, aimed at reducing pain and swelling and strengthening the tendons responsible for holding up the arch in your feet.
• For more long-term relief, you may need to be fitted for custom orthotics. Custom orthotics are inserts that are placed inside of shoes to provide support in the areas that hold up the rearfoot and midfoot.
• Surgery may be required to repair a torn or damaged tendon and to restore its function.

Expected Outcome

The outcome depends on the severity of the deformity. If diagnosed early, flat feet can be supported with custom orthotics to prevent any further arch collapse in the future. If treatment is delayed, the flat foot can become progressively worse, resulting in chronic pain and disability.

Start Your Journey to Happy and Healthy Feet

If you are suffering from pain, or have difficulty walking due to low/flat arches, our team of specialized NYC foot doctors can help! Serving the Downtown and Midtown Manhattan areas of NYC, we help you get back to healthy and happy living. Call us at 917-398-3668 or book an appointment online.