What To Do if You Have Flat Feet

What To Do if You Have Flat Feet

Dealing with flat feet? Here’s what you can do about it.

According to the National Foot Health Assessment, around 18 million US Americans over the age of 21 have flat feet, also known as fallen arches. If you have flat feet you may have a ton of questions about foot care and how to treat the issue. This is where our Indianapolis, and Carmel, IN, foot doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Agricola, can help.

What causes flat feet?

While we are all born with flat feet, the arches of the foot will develop during the first few years of life. Some children never develop arches. You may simply have been born with flat feet but not even know it until foot pain sets in.

However, flat feet can also develop over time. Flat feet may develop as a result of excessive wear and tear on the feet, certain foot injuries including overuse injuries, as well being overweight or obese.

Do flat feet always need treatment?

Not necessarily. If your flat feet aren’t causing you pain or discomfort then you won’t require treatment. However, it’s important to be aware that flat feet can predispose you to certain problems including:

  • Shin splints
  • Foot, ankle, knee, heel, hip, and lower back pain
  • Bunions
  • Arthritis

People with flat feet may notice that they overpronate, which means that their feet roll inward when walking, sprinting, or running. Over time, these improper biomechanics can impact how the ankles, legs, hips, and back all function together. This can lead to misalignments in the rest of the body as they try to overcompensate for imbalances within the feet. If your flat feet are causing pain or other problems, it’s best to play it safe and visit our Indianapolis, and Carmel, IN, foot doctor for an evaluation.

How are flat feet treated?

If flat feet are causing you pain, there are some simple solutions that we can provide or recommend to help you better manage your symptoms. Some ways to improve flat feet-related pain include:

  • Exercises and physical therapy
  • Custom orthotics and arch support
  • Specialized shoes that provide proper support to the feet
  • Wearing an ankle brace
  • Resting and avoiding certain exercises or activities
  • Using pain relievers to ease sore, tired, and painful feet

If you are tired, sore, and achy due to flat feet, know that our Indianapolis, and Carmel, IN, foot doctor, Dr. Agricola, can help you find ways to ease these flat feet-related issues. Schedule an appointment today at Prestige Podiatry by calling (317) 846-4111 or (317) 881-0070.