Ever wondered if you have Flat Feet? or wondered "How did this happen" or "How can I treat it?". In this post, we are uncovering the straight truth about flat feet. The condition of Flat Feet, or "Fallen Arches" as it is also called spans across all ages. Among children, it is usually caused when the arches if the feet don't fully develop. In most other cases, mainly within adults, flat feet may develop after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age. Fortunately, this is usually a painless condition, however flat feet can possibly cause pain in other areas of your body, including your knees and your ankles.
How Do I know I have Flat Feet?
A simple test you can do at home to check if you have flat feet includes these three simple steps:
- Get your Feet Wet
- Stand on a flat surface where your footprint will show, such as dark tile, concrete or even use some paper.
- Step away and look at the prints. If you see complete imprints of the bottom of your feet on the surface, then you're likely to have flat feet.
If you have the following symptoms, you may also have flat feet and could require treatment:
- Feet tire easily
- Feel aches or pain in your feet, especially around the arches and heels
- Swollen feet, mainly the inside bottom around your arches
- Difficulty in foot movement, such as standing on your toes
- Pain in your back and legs
What are some normal causes from Flat Feet?
The most common causes or factors that can increase the risk of flat feet include:
- An abnormality that is present from birth
- Stretched or torn tendons
- Damage or inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT), which connects from your lower leg, along your ankle, and to the middle of the arch
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Some health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Nerve problems
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Aging
- Pregnancy
How can I treat Flat Feet or "Fallen Arches"?
Depending on the severity, amount of pain or cause of flat feet, treatments can vary, including treatments done at home or treatments done by your doctor, including potential surgical procedures. If you are not suffering from any pain, more likely than not, treatment is note needed. However if you are suffering from pain, try some at home remedies or visit your doctor immediately for one or more of these treatments:
- Wear the right footwear for the activity you are doing
- Rest, Ice or use over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen to reduce pain
- Change lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of flat feet, such as obesity or high blood pressure
- Avoid, if possible, activities that put a large strain or high pressure on your feet, such as running or high-impact sports like basketball or tennis
- Ask your Doctor for stretching exercises that can help alleviate pain or prepare you for feet-intensive activities
- Set up an appointment and meet a physical therapist for treatment
- Use orthotic devices
- Injected medications to reduce inflammation
- Although flat feet usually doesn't cause much pain, it can lead to further injury. Therefore, know when to ask and seek help. When pain is severe or interferes with activities, it's time to see the doctor for a thorough exam and treatment.
Feel free to contact us today if you suffering from pain from flat feet, we would be happy to help you!
