Do you think your feet are getting flatter?
Well, they probably are to some degree. Not all flat feet are painful or cause symptoms. Painful flat feet can be treated.
With flat feet, the arch flattens and the entire sole of the foot has contact with the floor when standing. Some people are genetically predisposed to having flat feet. Flat feet can also develop later in life and can be debilitating.
So why do some people develop the painful kind of flatfoot:
The most common cause of painful flatfoot in adults is a problem with the posterior tibial tendon. (That’s a tendon that goes behind your ankle and attaches to the bones on the inside of your foot. It holds your arch up and provides support when your foot pushes off the ground.)
Normal use can cause the tendon to stretch out over time and develop pathology like tears, inflammation or significant enlargement to just name a few.
Don’t just live with the pain:
You shouldn’t just accept the pain that can accompany flatfoot. Treatment starts with supporting the tendon with Orthotics devices worn inside sturdy shoes. You can also try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), low-impact aerobic activity (like pool exercises) and weight loss, if needed. More advanced treatment modalities include custom braces including an Arizona Brace or Richie Brace.
Still no relief? Surgery is an option if these conservative measures don’t provide you with enough relief. . The outpatient procedure is unique to each individual and is based off of each patient’s clinical exam and radiological findings. The bones and tendons take about three months to heal, but full recovery can take up to a year.
Let the caring team at Kalmar Family Podiatry ease your discomfort and find a permanent solution to the problem. Call the office today, or book an appointment online.
