Everyone is born with flat feet. But as we age, we typically grow arches. But for some people, their foot arches never develop – or they fall over time. Flatfoot doesn’t always pose much of a problem, but it can leave you in pain and affect your walking, which is when it’s time to call your podiatrist.
Do You Have Flat Feet?
Plenty of people have flat feet without experiencing any side effects or pain. How can you be sure you have flatfoot? The best way to find out is by making an appointment with your podiatrist. But in the meantime, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you likely have flat feet:
- Leg cramps
- Muscle pain (such as aching or fatigue) in your leg or foot
- Pain in your arch, heel, ankle, or outside of the foot
- Pain when you walk.
- Changes in the way you walk.
- Toe drift (your toes point outward)
How We Can Help You
The first step to diagnosing and treating flat feet is visiting your podiatrist. They will examine how you stand, sit, and walk, as well as perform X-rays to look at your bone structure. Once the verdict is in that you have flatfoot, you’ll discuss treatment options. Luckily, most people don’t have significant pain or side effects and therefore don’t need extensive treatment. But some sort of treatment is always recommended since flatfoot puts you at risk for other conditions like arthritis, bone spurs, and bunions. Below are some of the most popular treatment recommendations for flat feet:
- Anti-inflammatory medications, like Advil or Aleve
- I.C.E., or rest, ice, compression, and elevation
- Physical therapy
- Custom orthotics
- Daily foot stretches
- Surgery, in very rare cases
Think you have flat feet? Call our office today and ask about it. Our podiatrists, Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, Dr. Anne-Louise Smith, Dr. Justin Muser, and the rest of the staff at Syracuse Podiatry in East Syracuse, New York, can help treat and care for your feet. Call us at 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online to get help today.