Why Are My Feet Getting Flatter?

Flat feet are a common source of pain in the ankles and legs. There are many causes of flat feet, and it’s important to get a diagnostic evaluation to find out exactly what’s causing changes in your foot health.

At Foot and Ankle Specialists in The Woodlands, Huntsville, and Memorial City, Texas, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of foot pain caused by flat feet.

Our experienced podiatrists offer early intervention services for children born with flat feet. We also customize a care plan for adults whose feet are getting flatter with age or other reasons.

Understanding flat feet

Flat feet occur when the arch of your foot partially or totally collapses. All people are born with flat feet due to the looseness of the tendons that hold the foot joints in place.

As you get older, your tendons become tighter and stronger, forming an arch that supports your foot and absorbs the shock of your movements.

Having flat feet means the soles of your feet lie completely flat on the floor. Flatness may not cause issues in childhood, but adults might experience symptoms that affect their foot and ankle health, such as:

• Aching
• Pain
• Loss of flexibility
• Limited range of motion
• Deformities in your feet and toes

At Foot and Ankle Specialists, we offer physical exams, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests to evaluate the severity of your flat feet. Our providers also create a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and prevent flat foot-related complications.

Causes of flat feet

Your arches typically form when you’re two to three years old. However, it’s possible for some that their arches will never form, resulting in one or both feet being flat.

You might also be prone to flat feet as you get older and the tendons in your feet weaken, causing your arches to collapse. Foot and ankle injuries can also cause damage to your arches and lead to flat feet.

Other factors that contribute to flat feet include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Tendonitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Flat feet can also run in families and are more common in people who have parents or siblings with flat feet.

Exploring your treatment options for flat feet symptoms

Managing flat foot-related symptoms and preventing additional foot and ankle problems is the priority of our podiatry team. We design your treatment plan based on the severity of your arch collapse and the symptoms it causes.

Initially, we might recommend changing the style of shoes you wear to ensure your feet have the support they need when you stand, walk, and run. Our team can also recommend orthotics like shoe inserts that cushion your feet and give your arches extra support.

Other flat feet treatments include:

• Bracing
• Immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Medications

Maintaining a healthy weight can also provide relief from foot pain and other flat foot symptoms.

When complications of flat feet interfere with your mobility, your podiatrist might suggest surgery to repair weak or damaged tendons. Surgery is typically a last resort when other therapies aren’t effective.

Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists office near you today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for flat feet for yourself or your child, or book an appointment online anytime.