Flat Feet

Flat feet alone cause enough pain and discomfort to stop you in your tracks. Unfortunately, the loss of arch support can also cause problems in your ankles, knees, hips, and back. The podiatrists at the Foot and Ankle Specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating flat feet in young children, teens, and adults. If you have foot pain and wonder if it’s caused by a collapsed arch, call the office in The Woodlands, Memorial City, or Huntsville, Texas, today or book an appointment online.

What causes flat feet?

Flat feet happen when the arch that normally supports your foot partly or entirely collapses. You can have one of three kinds of flat feet:

Pediatric flat feet

Children naturally have flat feet for up to six years old until their bones develop enough to build strong arches. However, some children don’t develop normal arches, and their feet remain flat. This can happen if they inherit abnormal bone structure or a tendency to have flat feet.

Flexible flat feet

Flexible flat feet begin during childhood or the teen years, then the problem keeps getting worse throughout the adult years. Most people can tell they have flexible flat feet because their arches are noticeable when sitting but disappear when standing.

Adult-acquired flat feet

Adult-acquired flat feet occur when an injury or disease affects your arches. A foot fracture and arthritis can lead to arch problems. The most common cause of adult-acquired flat feet is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD).

The posterior tendon helps support the arch. If it becomes injured or inflamed, it can’t stabilize the arch, and you end up with adult-acquired flat feet.

You’re also more likely to develop flat feet if you gain weight. The excess weight affects your stance, making your ankles turn inward and stretching the tendons, ligaments, and joints.

What are the symptoms of flat feet?

Children won’t have symptoms unless they still have flat feet as they age. Then they can experience pain or tenderness and have difficulty wearing shoes. Flexible and adult-acquired flat feet can cause pain right from the start.

Flat feet cause various symptoms, including:

• Ankle pain
• Heel and arch pain
• Shin splints (pain along the shin bone)
• Knee, hip, and lower back pain
• Foot and leg fatigue
• Difficulty walking
• Inward rolling of your ankle
• Pain that’s worse during high-impact activities

Your pain might not be limited to your foot. As your body compensates for changes in your feet, other joints, tendons, and ligaments bear more stress than usual. People with flat feet often have ankle, knee, hip, and/or back pain.

How are flat feet treated?

The Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands carefully design your treatment based on how severely collapsed your arches are. Your treatment can include any of the following:

• Immobilization
• Orthotics
• Braces
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Footwear changes
• Weight loss

If you still have pain or your flat feet get worse, your provider could recommend surgery.

Don’t delay scheduling an appointment when you need help with flat feet. Call the Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands today or book your appointment online.