What To Know About Flat Feet

Dr. Charlotte Reisinger and Dr. Dusky Farmer of Reisinger Farmer Podiatry in Evansville, IN, help patients with flat feet and other foot deformities. Read about flat feet and come see us for an appointment if you're concerned about the health of your feet.

Flat feet

Flat feet happen when a person has a very low or a non-existent arch in the foot, so the entire sole of the foot touches the ground. This can be problematic because your arches help distribute your body weight. People with flat feet can lose their balance or trip a lot.
 

Flat feet can be genetic and may be evident at birth. More often, the condition develops over time. Flat feet happen in both children and adults. For children, flat feet can happen if they wear close-toed shoes a lot during the first couple of years when they're learning to walk because it doesn't allow the ligaments to strengthen as much as wearing open-toed shoes or going barefoot. In adults, flat feet are usually a side effect of another condition like arthritis or obesity.
 

Symptoms of flat feet are pain or cramping in the foot. This can lead to discomfort in the joints and muscles all the way up the legs and back. Some flat feet can be asymptomatic, meaning the arch is collapsed but the patient doesn't feel pain or discomfort. This can be because they have adjusted their walking and the muscles have accommodated the flat feet over time.

Treatment for flat feet

Flat feet are common in children and adults and don't always cause pain, so not everyone seeks treatment for flat feet. If you are having pain, it's best to see a podiatrist to be prescribed exercises to stretch and strengthen your feet. Besides exercises, you may be prescribed orthotics to wear in your shoes or medication to help with any inflammation and pain.
 

Another thing your doctor will recommend is to change to comfortable and supportive footwear. Choose shoes that support the arch and give toes room to wiggle, because narrow toe boxes can cause other foot problems.
 

Flat feet can cause pain and discomfort, but we can help. Come see Dr. Reisinger and Dr. Farmer of Reisinger Farmer Podiatry. Contact us in Evansville, IN, at (812) 421-8555.

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