When your foot doesn’t have an arch, you need flat feet treatment. Everything you need to know covered by Columbia-based foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Danielle Malin.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for flat feet treatment. Instead, a foot and ankle doctor must evaluate each patient to determine the severity of their condition, its cause, and which course of action is the best for their specific situation.
What Causes Flat Feet?
There are many different reasons that a person’s foot might go flat. It could be genetic, or flat feet might be developed later in life. Although the condition typically runs in families, Dr. Malin explains that flat feet might be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, Achilles tendon injuries, broken bones, diabetes, cerebral palsy, high blood pressure, obesity, pregnancy, Downs syndrome, and certain other medical conditions.
When flat feet are present in childhood, they may or may not be associated with certain genetic disorders. These include developmental coordination disorder, double-jointedness, loose ligaments, and fused foot bones.
Diagnosis And Flat Feet Treatment
Diagnosing flat feet is usually done by performing a physical exam of the feet. Your podiatrist will look at the arches of your feet as you sit, stand, and walk. You may also have x-rays completed to check for bone structure abnormalities. Your doctor may also inspect your shoes for abnormal wear patterns.
Treating flat feet is different for different people. Everything you need to know about flat feet treatment will depend on what your doctor prescribes to you. However, for most people, a combination of three different treatment modalities can usually help. These are using inflammation-reducing medications, participating in physical therapy, and using supportive devices, such as custom-made orthotics.
Rigid Versus Flexible Flatfoot
There are two different types of flat foot diagnosis: rigid and flexible. Someone with a rigid flatfoot is most at risk of pain and discomfort caused by their condition. Rigid flatfoot means the foot is completely void of an arch. A flexible flatfoot means the arch is present and mostly normal in a sitting or tiptoe position. However, the arch flattens out when standing. It should be noted that children usually have flexible flat feet until between the ages of seven and 10 when the arch is fully developed.
Having flat feet can affect your daily routine. When you are ready to experience pain-free living, Premier Foot & Ankle Care in Columbia, TN, can help. We specialize in flatfoot treatment and can work with you to come up with a solution that fits your budget and lifestyle. You don’t have to let your feet stop you in your tracks. Dr. Malin is here to help, and one call is all it takes to put you on the right track.
Dr. Danielle Malin, DPM of Premier Foot & Ankle Care in Columbia, TN, specializes in treating foot and ankle pain, Achilles tendinitis, warts, nail disorders, hammertoe, bunions, and more. She is a skilled foot and ankle surgeon who offers personalized patient care through her full-service office. Dr. Malin is unique among local podiatrists in that she makes house calls so that she can best care for her diverse patient base. Premier Foot & Ankle Care care treats both adult and pediatric patients. A staff physician at Maury Regional Medical Center, Dr. Malin is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
