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Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Achilles Tendonitis
ACL Injuries
AC Joint Injury (Shoulder Separation)
Ankle Sprain
Avascular Necrosis
Bicep Tendonitis
Bone Cancer
Bone Cysts
Bone Spurs
Bone Tumor
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Bulging Discs
Bunions
Burners & Stingers
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chondrosarcoma
Chordoma
Chronic Tendon Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Colles Fracture
Concussion
Contractures
Degenerative Joint Disease
Diabetic Foot Disease
Dislocations
Dupuytren's Contracture
Elbow Sprain
Ewings Sarcoma
Femoroacetabular Impingement
Finger Injuries
Flat Feet
Foot Pain
Foot Ulcer
Fractures & Breaks
Frozen Shoulder
Giant Cell Tumor
Golfers Elbow
Hammer Toes
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Pointer
Instability
IT Band Syndrome
Jones Fracture
Labral Tear
Lisfranc Injury
Low Back Pain
Lower Body Pain
Malunion & Nonunion
MCL & LCL Injuries
Meniscus Tear
Metastatic Bone Disease
Morton's Neuroma
Neck Pain
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Nerve Compression
Numbness & Weakness
Osgood Schlatter
Osteosarcoma
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellofemoral Pain
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
Plantar Fasciitis
PVNS
Rotator Cuff Tears
Scaphoid (Wrist) Fracture
Severs Disease
Shin Splints
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Pain
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Sports Hernia
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Upper Body Pain
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Flat Feet

Flat feet can be present from birth or may develop over time due to various factors. Some people with flat feet may not experience any symptoms or problems, while others may have foot pain, discomfort, or difficulty with certain activities.

Looking for Flat Feet Care?

Related services include:

  • Orthopaedics.
  • Sports Medicine.
  • Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy.

Find a Provider

On this page

  • What Causes Flat Feet?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Flat Feet?
  • How Do You Diagnose Flat Feet?
  • How Do You Treat Flat Feet?

What Are Flat Feet?

Flat feet — also called adult flat feet or flatfoot — are painful, progressive deformities that affect the arch of the foot.

Flat feet result from the tearing and breaking down of the soft tissues in the arch. This wear causes the arch to flatten and the toes to point outward, often making the foot look like it has extra toes.

Image of a flatfoot versus a normal foot.

What causes flat feet?

Flat feet, or a lack of an arch in the feet, are normal among children and toddlers because some arches develop over time. In fact, some people never develop an arch and may or may not have problems.

In other cases, the causes of flat feet range from pre-existing medical conditions — like arthritis and diabetic foot disease — to injuries, or even the wear and tear of age.

What are flat feet risk factors and complications?

Flat feet problems are more common in women than in men.

Other major factors that may increase your risk for adult flat feet include:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Obesity
  • Traumatic injury
  • Arthritis
  • Age

Complications of flat feet

Flat feet can cause a number of problems in the ankles and knees because of the altered positioning of the feet and pressure changes of walking and moving.

If you suspect flat feet, you should seek treatment. These conditions may worsen over time or lead to other problems.

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What Are the Symptoms of Flat Fleet?

Flat feet often occur over time.

They involve a progression of symptoms that may grow to combine individual symptoms or contribute to related conditions.

Some people with flat feet report no physical pain or changes.

Others may experience a wide variety of flat feet symptoms, including:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Trouble walking or bearing weight on the feet
  • Inability to lift the heels off the ground while attempting to rise onto the toes
  • Bumps on the side of the feet

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How Do You Diagnose Flat Feet?

If you have pain or other symptoms in your feet, your doctor may order a test based on your description and ability to bear weight. These testing options aim to examine your bone and muscle structure for any damage.

Tests for diagnosing flat feet include:

  • X-rays help doctors monitor the position of your arch and see changes in bone structure and health over time.
  • CT scans offer the advantages of an x-ray but from many different angles at once.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasounds provide a look into your foot's soft tissues, especially those of your arch.

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How Do You Treat Flat Feet?

Starting treatment as soon as possible is very helpful for adult flat feet. However, treatment only becomes necessary when you feel pain or have reduced mobility.

Our treatment goals for flat feet aim to:

  • Manage foot pain
  • Preserve mobility
  • Increase function in your feet

Nonsurgical treatments for flat feet

We offer the following nonsurgical treatment options for flat feet:

  • Rest to avoid bearing weight in the feet
  • Anti-inflammatory pain medications
  • Shoe adaptations (orthotics), braces, and arch supports for flat feet

These treatments can be very effective in managing pain and preserving both function and mobility in your feet.

Flat feet surgery

In some cases, doctors may recommend surgery to relieve the tension in your tissues and muscles that cause the arch to fall.

Flat feet surgery may be an attractive and effective treatment option when:

  • Nonsurgical treatment options have proven ineffective.
  • When flat feet occur along with other orthopaedic conditions of the foot or ankle.

Benefits and risks of flat feet treatment

Treatments for flat feet can be effective in preserving and even restoring function.

For this reason, be sure to tell your doctor about any acute or chronic pain you feel at the bottom of your feet and undergo proper testing.

Following any surgical treatments for flat feet, you will have to avoid all weight bearing activities for about three months.

Not following doctors' orders of this rest period can lead to further foot problems and complications

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