Does your footprint look different from that of most people?
If it mirrors your entire foot, instead of your foot dipping inward, you have either very low arches or flat feet. You might also notice that your shoes wear out more quickly, particularly at the heel.
Having flat feet means you have fallen arches. Maybe it developed due to a sudden injury, or over time while working in a field where you’re on your feet all the time — think teaching, nursing, or construction.
Other people never develop arches: Think of a baby’s or toddler’s foot, which doesn’t have defined arches.
The skilled and caring podiatry team at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers is dedicated to creating customized treatment plans for their patients who are living with flat feet, and ensuring they can be as comfortable and active as they wish, despite this condition.
The team partners with you in taking great care of your feet — after all, we owe it to our feet, considering all of the places they’ve taken us!
You very well might not suffer from flat feet-related symptoms, but if you do, the condition can cause:
What’s more, flat feet can lead to other painful foot problems that may also inhibit your movement, including bunions, tendonitis, hammertoes, and shin splints. You can even develop arthritis in your ankle.
Essentially, walking is where discomfort starts — and it can spread to the different parts of your body that we listed above.
Even though you can't magically lift your arches to cure flat feet, your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provider is eager to help you learn to avoid future problems associated with it.
Not only do extra pounds increase your risk for developing flat feet, they can worsen discomfort and other symptoms as well. Shedding weight can slow or stop complications from flat feet, so paying attention to your diet and staying active are important.
And speaking of physical activity, aim for lower-impact activities like cycling and swimming, which put less pressure on your feet.
Ill-fitting shoes cause all kinds of damage, sometimes leading to painful foot conditions, and flat feet are no exception. Opt for shoes with excellent arch support, and limit your time padding around barefoot. Orthotics can also help.
Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypertension can exacerbate flat feet symptoms, so make sure you’re working with your primary care provider and any specialists you see regularly to ensure that you’re doing all you can to manage these issues effectively.
Injuries put you at higher risk for flat feet and worsening symptoms, so seek care for a foot injury instead of ignoring it.
Stretching your feet, massaging them, and performing certain foot exercises can all help prevent flat feet symptoms from getting more severe. These exercises are easy, and you can do them practically anywhere.
Be mindful also of refraining from standing for very long periods.
By following these steps, you’re doing all you can to steer clear of flat feet complications, and remember that we’re here to offer advanced treatment if you do suffer from painful symptoms or mobility issues.
Your podiatrist might recommend purchasing supportive shoes and custom orthotics as treatment options, as well as performing special exercises that specifically stretch your Achilles heel. Physical therapy can offer relief, too.
Sometimes reconstructive surgery is necessary if your symptoms have become severe and your discomfort is intense.
Every effort is made to offer you minimally invasive surgical solutions, which involve one or two small incisions rather than the longer ones needed in traditional surgery. Minimally invasive procedures are associated with faster healing and less pain, bleeding, scarring, and risk of postsurgical infection.
Call us at 561-793-6170 to make an appointment at one of our four conveniently located offices in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, and Belle Glade, Florida.
We’re happy to give you more information about treating flat feet and minimizing the chances of symptoms worsening and causing other problems. You can book with us online as well.
