Our bodily organs, including our feet, come in various sizes and forms. While some people have high arches, others have flat feet. The majority of people fall someplace in between. However, if you have flat feet The Woodlands, this condition can give you discomfort. Flat feet are a condition when your feet have no arch.

What causes flat feet?

All babies are born with flat feet, but as they grow, the arch forms. However, the feet remain flat in certain situations, and the arch never forms throughout development. It is believed that this is congenital or inherited.

However, adults may develop flat feet later in life. In adults, flat feet may occur due to conditions like obesity, aging, inflammatory diseases, and previous ankle injury.

Symptoms of flat feet

Many individuals with flat feet do not have any discomfort or other symptoms. However, some flatfoot variations might cause discomfort. Some signs might be leg cramps, muscle pain in the leg, pain in the arch, heel, and ankle, and pain when walking.

You may do a few things on your own if you have flat feet and they are starting to irritate you. If your discomfort does not go away or worsens, it is crucial to seek assistance from a physician.

Here are ways to treat flat feet;

1.   Wear proper shoes

Wearing shoes with strong arch support is a smart way to treat flat feet. Although there is no “ideal” shoe, something that supports your foot and stabilizes it is probably preferable to something that offers no support, like flip-flops.

2.   Exercise

Exercise may help to strengthen the calf,  foot,  and ankle muscles. Additionally, stretching the Achilles tendon is frequently advised. You may try physical therapy if you need assistance learning the exercises and doing them properly.

3.   Immobilization

It might be beneficial sometimes to give your foot some rest, particularly the posterior tibialis tendon. Your doctor might advise donning a boot or limiting some activities for a few weeks. If you want to do this, remember to be kind to yourself as you perform stretching exercises and resume normal activities gradually. After the rest period, you could be encouraged to utilize an orthosis.

4.   Orthoses

An orthosis sometimes called an “orthotic,” is a gadget created to help a skeletal issue or enhance motion. For flat feet, you may use an ankle-foot orthosis, which resembles a foot orthosis or brace and fits within the shoes. Both are designed to support the arch, help with foot mobility, and alleviate pain. According to studies, orthoses can reduce discomfort and improve foot mobility.

There are two types of shoe orthotics or inserts: readymade and bespoke. Starting with pre-made orthoses is okay because they are frequently less expensive. But for more severe flatfoot conditions, foot doctors may advise wearing custom-made orthoses.

5.   Surgery

If the discomfort from your flat feet is not relieved by the other treatments, you have a few surgical choices. The degree of flatness of your feet and the position of the bones, as determined by imaging testing, often choose the type of surgery required. Surgery may include shifting tendons and ligaments or realigning the bones. Usually, you have to take a lot of time off work to recover.

If you have flat feet visit your doctor to find the right treatment. Call Foot and Ankle Specialists to book your appointment for flat feet treatment.