Flat Feet

What are flat feet?

Flat feet is a condition in which the arches of your feet are flat and touch the ground when you place pressure on them. Your feet may point outward when you stand up. The condition can develop during childhood or later in life due to wear-and-tear, aging, or an injury. 

If you suspect flat feet are the reason for your foot pain, see the West Beverly Podiatry Group specialists for an evaluation.

What are the symptoms of flat feet?

The hallmark symptoms of flat feet include:

• Flat foot arches while standing up
• Foot pain
• Heel or arch discomfort
• Pain during physical activity
• Swelling along the inside of your ankles

Many people with the condition don’t have any symptoms and aren’t bothered by having flat feet. If you have troublesome symptoms, the West Beverly Podiatry Group team reviews your treatment options. 

What are the risk factors for flat feet?

The common causes and risk factors for having flat feet include:

• Genetics
• Being an infant or toddler
• Aging
• Wear-and-tear
• Weakness
• Obesity
• Foot or ankle injuries
• Diabetes
• Arthritis 

Many times foot arches develop during childhood, though some people never develop traditional arches. In other cases, flat feet develop after getting injured or age-related tissue damage.

How are flat feet diagnosed?

Your West Beverly Podiatry Group provider diagnoses flat feet after carefully examining your feet and ankles. They also observe your feet when you walk and stand on your toes. Your specialist looks at the wear patterns in your shoes and tests your foot strength. 

Your podiatrist also reviews your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. They may recommend you undergo X-rays, a CT scan, an ultrasound, or an MRI before they customize your treatment plan. 

How are flat feet treated?

You don’t need treatment if you don’t have bothersome symptoms of fat feet. The West Beverly Podiatry Group team may offer the following recommendations:

• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises
• Custom orthotics
• Arch supports
• Changing your footwear
• Rest 
• Altering your workouts
• Medications
• Weight loss
• Surgery

You could be a candidate for surgery if you have pain that limits physical activity, and conservative treatments haven’t helped correct the problem. Surgery at West Beverly Podiatry Group repairs tendon and bone problems responsible for your discomfort. 

Call the West Beverly Podiatry Group office to schedule a flat feet evaluation, or use the online booking feature today.