Having flat feet increases your risk of painful conditions like plantar fasciitis and arch pain. At South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, and Belle Glade, Florida, the team offers the latest treatments for flat feet. Non-surgical interventions, such as custom-made orthotics, can help reduce pain and improve mobility if you have flat feet. To find a treatment that’s right for you, call the nearest office or book an appointment online.
Custom Orthotics
Supportive shoe inserts to improve foot alignment and reduce strain.
Non-Surgical Therapies
Stretching, strengthening, and physical therapy tailored to your needs.
Advanced Diagnostics
In-depth evaluation using imaging and gait analysis for precise treatment.
Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Care
Expert treatments for every condition, from heel pain to sports injuries.
Personalized solutions designed for comfort, strength, and recovery.
If you have flat feet, it means that the bottom of at least one of your feet lies flat on the ground. Flat feet occur for a variety of causes, and symptoms vary depending on the severity of your condition.
Generally, people with flat feet don’t exhibit any symptoms, though sometimes flat feet can cause pain and discomfort to your back. Flat feet can also provoke pain in your knees, hips, lower legs, calf, inner ankle, and the arch of your foot.
If you have flat feet, you’ll find that you tend to wear out shoes faster than usual. Flat feet distribute your body weight unevenly, which quickly wears out the heel of your shoe.
What causes flat feet?
The most common cause of flat feet is tarsal coalition, a condition in which the bones of the foot fuse together.
If you struggle with obesity and diabetes, you are likely to develop flat feet over time. Other causes include:
Foot or ankle injury
Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Weak arches
Tibial tendon damage
Tendinitis
Cerebral palsy or other nervous system or muscle diseases
Aging may also lead to flat feet. As you age, the posterior tibial tendon in your foot starts to weaken, making it harder to support the arch of your foot.
What are the side effects of flat feet?
In some cases, particularly if you suffer from other health complications, flat feet can cause mild to severe side effects, including:
Arthritis in the ankle
Bunions
Hammertoes
Shin splints
Inflammation in the ligament in the soles of your foot
Tendinitis
Since your feet support your entire body, these side effects might make you walk differently, gradually leading to more pain in other parts of your body, such as the hips, knees, or ankles.
How do you treat flat feet?
If you are experiencing pain, the team at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers offers various forms of therapy, including:
Achilles tendon stretching exercises
Orthotic devices
Supportive shoes
Physical therapy
Surgery
Even if your flat feet aren’t currently causing you pain, it might be worth having the South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers team evaluate them and make sure problems don’t arise in the future.
