Treating Flat Feet

By Southwest Foot Institute

October 26, 2016

Category: Foot Care

Tags: Flat Feet

Did you know that everyone is born with flat feet? Most people grow out of this flat-footed stage and go on to develop a normal arch. However, many people never develop their arch and continue having flat feet for their entire lives. Learn how to tell if you have flat feet and podiatrists treat this condition with Dr. Michael Dershowitz and Dr. Nathan Plaskey at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, AZ.

Do I have flat feet?
You cannot necessarily glance at your feet and determine whether or not you have flat feet. However, there is a very simple, very basic test to determine if you have flat feet. Wet your feet, then step onto a surface which will obviously show wet and dry spots like dry concrete. If you see the outline of your entire foot, including the inside where the arch should be, you have flat feet. If you can make out the arch, you do not have flat feet.

Do flat feet cause everyday problems?
Many people with flat feet do not notice any symptoms and never need to seek medical help for their condition. However, flat feet can cause numerous issues which you may not realize are related to your feet. Flat feet can trigger knee, leg, ankle or foot pain, as well as hip and low back pain making pinpointing the root cause of these conditions quite tricky. For this reason, if you experience leg, ankle, knee or foot pain or believe you have flat feet, you should see your podiatrist for an examination.

Treating Flat Feet in Phoenix, AZ
The most common and easiest way to treat flat feet is with a customized insole, called an orthotic, worn inside of the shoe. These orthotics help distribute the body’s weight more naturally on the foot, helping to reduce pain and inflammation. Special exercises and physical therapy may help strengthen the foot’s connective tissues and help increase its range of motion. Severe cases of flat feet may require surgery.

For more information on flat feet or its treatments, please contact Dr. Dershowitz and Dr. Plaskey at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Call (602) 340-8686 to schedule your appointment today!

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