If you have flat feet, with little or no natural foot arch, it could be more problematic than you may think. Although flat feet don’t generally cause a lot of symptoms, they can affect your foot biomechanics and eventually cause pain and injury. At Alps Road Family Foot & Ankle in Wayne, New Jersey, skilled podiatrists Heidi Godoy, DPM, and Johanna Godoy, DPM, use advanced equipment and custom treatments to restore your foot health and lower your risk for complications. Call the office or book an appointment through online scheduling.
Flat feet, also known as flatfoot, don’t have natural arches, so your entire foot touches the floor when you’re upright. All babies have flat feet, but most toddlers start developing a foot arch as they become mobile.
Some kids never develop foot arches. At least 18 million American adults have flat feet, and an additional 8 million had arches but now don’t, a condition called fallen arches.
Usually, flat feet don’t hurt. In general, the problem with flat feet isn’t the condition itself, but rather the complications it can cause.
When you have flat feet, you’re more likely to develop problems like inward-rolling ankles, abnormal walking patterns, and leg misalignment. These changes can lead to imbalance, weakness, and damage within the soft tissues in your feet and ankles.
Ultimately, this means that flat feet can lead to foot, ankle, leg, hip, and low back inflammation, pain, and instability.
If you have flat feet and regularly experience foot or ankle pain, foot swelling, tired-feeling legs and feet, or other unexplained symptoms, call Alps Road Family Foot & Ankle as soon as possible.
The team of experts can analyze your feet, ankles, gait, and balance to determine the reason for your flat feet. Then, they can recommend the right flatfoot treatment to correct the issue and improve your foot health.
Your Alps Road Family Foot & Ankle podiatrist can prescribe a variety of treatments to restore your arches, relieve your associated symptoms, or both.
Often, a few types of therapy combine to alleviate your flatfoot issues. Flat feet don’t require surgery, but if you have a contributing issue like a treatment-resistant torn tendon or plantar fasciitis, you could need surgical intervention for a full recovery.
At Alps Road Family Foot & Ankle, the dedicated podiatric care team offers all the flatfoot care you need in one location. Call the office or click the online scheduling tool to arrange your consultation.
