Our Services / Flat Foot

What is a flat foot?

Flat foot is a structural abnormality that means you don’t have arches. If your feet are flat, your soles make complete contact with the ground whenever you stand up or take a step.

In most cases, flat feet don’t present side effects. However, if your flat feet are the result of an injury or due to age-related wear and tear, they can affect your mobility and quality of life.  

What are the symptoms of a flat foot?

Symptoms of flat feet vary and depend on the severity of the condition. Some people with flat feet experience no symptoms. Others experience pain that affects the heel or the arch of their foot. If you have flat feet, you might also notice the pain gets worse during exercise or other types of physical activity.

Who is at risk of experiencing a flat foot?

People of all ages and races experience flat feet, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Weight issues
• Experiencing an injury to your foot or ankle
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• The natural aging process

If you have diabetes, you’re also more likely to experience flat feet. 

How is a flat foot diagnosed?

To diagnose flat feet, your Inland Podiatry Group provider reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started, if they’re worse at certain times of the day, and if certain activities, like exercise, cause them to flare up. 

Next, they have you take off your shoes and socks and examine your feet. Your provider has you stand up and walk around the exam room. They observe your gait and posture and assess the wear pattern on your shoes. 

If these tests aren’t enough to confirm a diagnosis, your provider might order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures can rule out underlying conditions like fractures, dislocated joints, or inflamed tendons and ligaments.

How is a flat foot treated?

At Inland Podiatry Group, the team treats flat feet using conservative, minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they might recommend:

• Custom orthotics
• Stretching exercises
• Supportive shoes
• Physical therapy
• Weight loss
• Activity modification

If these steps don’t provide adequate relief, surgical intervention might be necessary. Inland Podiatry Group has an ambulatory surgical center on-site that offers both traditional open and minimally invasive surgery.

To receive treatment for flat foot, make an appointment at Inland Podiatry Group by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.