Flat Foot Treatment in Dallas, Texas
Flat foot is a disorder that affects people who have little to no arches in their feet. A person who doesn’t have flat feet will have a gap between the innermost part of their feet and the floor when standing, due to normal arches that rise slightly off the floor. Those with flat feet do not have such a gap or arch. While some people experience no problems with flat feet, it’s not unusual for those with this condition to experience some discomfort or foot pain.
Flat feet may cause foot pain due to strained muscles and connecting ligaments. Without arches, there is more pressure on your muscles and ligaments, which is why they become strained and may cause you to feel foot pain. The arch of the foot generally develops between the age of 3 and 5 years. Flat foot, also identified as fallen arches or pesplanus, is a deformity in which the arch is not formed (in children) or breaks down to the ground (in adults due to various foot problems). Flat foot can be rigid or flexible. Flexible flat foot generally resolves without treatment unless you feel foot pain. Rigid flat foot generally requires intervention.
Causes and risk factors
Pediatric flat foot is a common disorder that can run in families. It is often produced by abnormalities between joints while your baby is developing in your womb. A rare state called tarsal coalition, where two or more bones of the foot join together abnormally can cause stiff and painful flat feet. In adults, flat foot can grow from stretched, damaged, torn or inflamed tendons, fracture or dislocation, rheumatoid arthritis or nerve problems.
There are many causes that play a role in developing flat feet. For instance, certain genetic aspects passed down from parents can lead to flat feet. Children may appear to have flat feet; however, their arches should grow over time. Having overall weak arches, a foot or ankle injury, arthritis, or a muscle or nervous system disease may all increase your likelihood of having flat feet. Tarsal coalition may also play a part in emerging flat feet. Other common conditions that are linked to flat feet include diabetes and obesity.
To cope with the discomfort of flat feet, we recommend exercises to help ease your pain. Heel cord stretches are a great way to stretch your Achilles tendon and help loosen up calf muscles that are often strained due to flat feet. Placing a golf ball under your foot and rolling it back and forth while seated is another great stretch, especially for your plantar fascia ligament.
To deal with flat feet or fallen arches, we suggest you get plenty of rest. You can also repeatedly ice the affected area to reduce swelling. Performing daily stretches will loosen up your muscles and relieve strains. You should also look into orthotics or shoe inserts to help relieve the pain. We can scan your feet for custom orthotics in our office. For more suggestions about treating your discomfort due to flat feet, ask a podiatrist about your best treatment options.
Do I need to see a podiatrist for flat feet?
In some cases, men and women function quite normally with flat feet and never experience discomfort. In other cases, flat feet may cause you chronic foot pain. It’s important to visit Graff Foot Ankle and Wound Care for a flat foot evaluation if you experience:
- Swelling near your heel or ankle
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Throbbing arch pain
You should also visit us for an exam if you have developed flat feet after an injury, such as a foot fracture. By examining you and looking at digital X-ray or ultrasound imaging, your podiatrist can find the cause of your flat feet and determine your best course of treatment.
Signs and symptoms of flat feet
The flat foot abnormality may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Inside arch of the foot is flattened
- Heel bone may be turned outward
- Internal aspect of the foot may appear bowed out
- Discomfort in the foot, leg, knee, hip or lower back
- Aching in the heels causing difficulty with walking/running
- Discomfort wearing shoes
- Tired, achy feet after prolonged standing or walking
Diagnosing flat feet
The podiatrist will perform a physical analysis of the affected foot and observe it while you are standing on your tiptoes and in sitting positions. Your foot doctor may also observe your feet while you are wearing shoes. We may also conduct imaging scans such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If there is no discomfort, then no treatment is required. To relieve symptoms, we may suggest the following non-surgical treatments:
Activity variation – Avoid participating in activities that cause pain such as walking or standing for long periods of time.
Orthotics – Wear custom-made orthotic gadgets inside the shoes to support the arch of the foot.
Physical remedies – Do stretching exercises of the heel for heel pain relief.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – Take treatments such as NSAIDs prescribed by your foot doctor to reduce pain and inflammation.
Shoe alteration – Wear well‐fitting, supportive shoes that can help relieve aching pain caused by flatfoot.
If conventional treatment options fail to relieve flat foot symptoms, surgery may be necessary. We may perform several procedures including realigning bones, tendon transfers, tendon lengthening and bone fusion.
Biomechanical examinations
Biomechanics is the study of various bodily movements. Biomechanical analysis is an important tool that helps us determine the cause of injuries and ways to prevent them. It plays an important part in sports medicine, where physical therapists analyze various sports to determine safe and effective techniques.
Graff Foot Ankle and Wound Care in Dallas is your best choice for flat feet treatment. We provide expert support, high-quality treatments, cost-effective foot care, well-trained and experienced medical practitioners and exceptional customer service. Our goal is to give our clients a luxury treatment experience. We rely heavily on our expertise to offer what you really deserve. Our treatment costs are very reasonable and affordable.
At Graff Foot Ankle and Wound Care, we have the best medical facilities and equipment available. We provide treatment in a sterile and clean environment and follow the highest safety standards while ensuring that you receive the best treatment options for you.
Do you have flat feet? Get flat foot treatment today. Schedule an appointment with Graff Foot Ankle and Wound Care. Call (972) 403-7733 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form to schedule your visit.
