Whether you have flat feet or high arches, you may need flat feet treatment!
You may not have taken the time to notice, but your foot is a well-designed bridge which is capable of being placed under a great deal of stress. The bones of your foot form the bridge structure, with the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and fascia providing reinforcement. How high or low the “bridge” or arch of the foot is what determines whether you are flat footed or have a high arch (pes cavus) and may lead you to seek flat feet treatment.
What Causes Flat Feet?
Flat feet, or what is sometimes referred to as fallen arches, occur in various degrees and for varied reasons and may or may not cause pain or other symptoms. If you have flat feet, the bottom of your foot can be quite flat with the entire bottom of the foot touching the floor when barefoot or your arch may simply be lower than normal. Flat foot may be due to a fusion of two or more bones, weakening of a tendon, trauma or a neurologic condition. Pes Planus is a condition in which the arch of the foot has not developed properly.
What are Flat Feet Symptoms?
The most obvious symptom of a foot arch condition is foot pain; however, low or high arch can result in other problems as well. Pain associated with flat foot can range from mild to severe. You will often note that your ankle joint tends to roll inward putting increased stress on the joint as well as affecting the way you walk. Pressure on the knee, hip or back can cause pain in those joints too.
High Arch
Like flat foot high arch may be mild to severe, and individuals with a high arch will tend to notice increased wear on the outside of their shoe. High arch may also be due to trauma, or a neurologic condition.
Flat Feet and High Arch Treatment
Treatment for both flat feet and high arch does not have to involve surgery in all cases. You may be able to correct these issues by the use of custom insoles for flat feet, bracing to provide proper alignment or other custom flat feet orthotics to alleviate pressure points. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, surgery may be indicated. Flat feet surgery can involve correcting deformities in the foot’s bone structure or may involve repairing damaged soft tissues, ligaments and tendons that provide structure within the foot.
People with Answers
If you are suffering from foot pain or are having difficulty walking, Dr. Gowdie of the Foot and Ankle Treatment Center is ready to provide you with the flat feet treatment you need to get back to an active life, pain free. To set up a consultation, call (706) 310-4288 and talk with our staff.
