Flat Feet Can Cause a Variety of Problems

Foot Pain From Having Flat Feet

 

flat feet painFlat feet pain is one of the primary side effects. People who have flat feet tend to suffer from fallen arches. This means that their feet must withstand an extra amount of pressure. Not only will your feet fatigue quicker, but your lower leg may also begin to ache.  If you happen to have flat feet, simple everyday activities can become quite uncomfortable. Whether you are standing in line to see a new movie premier or strolling around downtown Atlanta, your feet are always hard at work. Simple everyday activities can become quite uncomfortable.

Active people are especially prone to experiencing discomfort. This is the key reason why the U.S. military disqualifies people with severely flat feet from joining the service.

 

Here are some of the most common problems that can be contributing flat feet pain:

Knee Problems

Flat feet can definitely cause you to have chronically bad knees. Because flat arches do a poor job of absorbing impacts, your knees are forced to work harder. When left untreated, this issue will only become worse over time. Aside from the soreness, you may also gradually develop arthritis due to diminished knee cartilage.

 

Poor Biomechanics

This condition can have a detrimental impact on your biomechanics. You may not even walk the same. Because your body will not be in the proper alignment, you are far more likely to get injured. Shin splints, sprained ankles, and stress fractures can all be linked to having fallen arches. If your shoes have irregular wear patterns, there is a good chance that your flat feet are to blame. American Foot and Leg Specialists recommends that you take action as soon as possible.

Lower Back Discomfort

Millions of people in this country are dealing with chronic back pain. You can rest assured that a good percentage of these individuals have flat feet. Unlike the normal human foot, a foot with a low arch isn’t able to provide the necessary amount of support and stability. The muscles in your back are thus subjected to more stress.

Inability to Wear Certain Types of Shoes

People suffering from flat feet should pay close attention to their choice of shoes. Picking the wrong type of footwear will ultimately cause problems. Although some people may like flip-flops and sandals, they are not the best selection for someone who has flat feet. The same is true for high heels.

Flat Feet Treatments

If flat feet are causing pain, then supportive, well-fitted shoes can help. Extra-wide-fitting shoes can provide relief.

Fitted insoles and orthotics or custom-designed arch supports may relieve pressure on the arch and reduce pain if the feet roll too far inward. However, these products only treat the symptoms and do not provide long-lasting benefits.

People with posterior tibial tendonitis might also benefit from inserting a wedge into their footwear along the inside edge of the orthotic. This should relieve some of the load that the body places on the tendon tissue.

Wearing an ankle brace may also be beneficial until the inflammation reduces.

Our doctors may advise some people to rest until their symptoms improve and to avoid activities that might aggravate the foot or feet.

A person with arthritis or a ruptured tendon might find that a combination of an insole and pain relievers can minimize their symptoms. If these do not work, surgery may be necessary.

Some bones do not develop properly in childhood, which can result in flat feet from birth continuing into adulthood. In these rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to separate fused bones.

When obesity is the cause of flat feet, losing weight might improve the symptoms.

While flat feet should be taken seriously, it is a problem that can be successfully treated by one of our flat feet specialists, Dr. Praya Mam and Dr. Rose James.  They have been specifically trained to treat people with flat feet.

With four convenient locations to choose from, American Foot and Leg Specialists proudly serves the entire South Atlanta Metro area. From flat feet to hammer toes, and bunions, our facility can treat a wide variety of different issues. Feel free to contact American Foot and Leg Specialists to schedule an appointment.

 

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