Flat feet can be incredibly painful to live with. They can make it difficult to stand, especially for long periods of time. They can also make it difficult to exercise, go for walks, run or play sports. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that they have this condition or that there are treatment options available to help. If your feet are constantly hurting, flat feet could be something you are struggling with. To find out, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our office.
Some people are born with flat feet. It may be genetic and the arches simply do not form as they should. Others may suffer from flat feet due to an injury to the tendon. Still, some suffer from flat feet as they age, though they did not as a youngster. In all of these cases, we can provide treatment.
Here are some indications that this could be a condition that a person is struggling with:
Flat feet can be diagnosed by a visual examination. If someone does not have an arch or their feet are flat on the ground, this is typically an indication that this is the problem causing foot pain. If we are concerned that other issues could be at play, such as a heel spur, we may also take x-rays.
If a child or adolescent is appearing to have flat feet, we want to treat them right away. We may be able to help them develop an arch by wearing special shoe insoles on a daily basis. It is important for parents to bring them in and to discuss options as soon as flat feet are identified.
Older patients may also benefit from insoles though they may not permanently alter the structure of their feet. We will typically recommend certain stretches and physical therapy that can help with the feet as well. Ultimately, wearing special insoles or orthotics is going to provide the best support and pain relief.
Some people may also need to take ibuprofen occasionally to help reduce the pain. However, our goal is to prevent pain and discomfort as much as possible.
We always recommend that patients try all noninvasive options before considering surgery. Typically, this means trying the stretching, physical therapy, inserts and orthotics for at least several months. If these options do not work for providing relief, then we are happy to help our patients to recover using other options.
Each patient is different and so the only way we can make a recommendation for treatment is to conduct an examination. We understand that flat feet can be difficult to live with and will do our best to help you live a comfortable life by providing solutions for your flat feet. We recommend scheduling an appointment today to get started.
