It is rare to find someone who walks with both feet in perfect alignment. Often we walk on the inside or outsides of our feet, or with our toes or heels rotated inward. These typical walking patterns can cause many problems not just within the feet but also for the whole body. The alignment of the feet sets the foundation for the whole body’s alignment. A faulty alignment within the feet can cause problems in the knees, hips, or back. One of the most common conditions of improper alignment is known as Pes Planus, or flatfeet.

The condition of flatfeet is characterized by a lack of appropriate arch in the instep of the foot. It can be caused by many different conditions such as a genetic condition, result of improper body mechanics, change in hormonal levels, or soft tissue injury/trauma.

If you suffer from flatfeet, you may experience pain in the arch of your foot, problems with prolong standing and weight bearing, and limitations to the activities you enjoy. You may also notice progression of this condition where the arch of your foot becomes less noticeable.

A healthy foot structure is one that is able to support our body weight with even pressure throughout the bottom our foot. A flatfoot not only is unable to properly support this weight, it is often unstable, causing pressure points in certain areas and increase stress in adjacent joints. Thus problems in our ankles, knees, hips, and back can occur in addition to foot pain.

Treatment

Most flatfoot associated symptoms can be treated conservatively. Only in rare cases would one require surgery to correct the alignment of the foot. In most cases, symptoms can be controlled with custom orthotics. These are medical devices made from individual molds of your feet. They are designed to fit your feet and act to restore normal alignment and biomechanical function. Let our doctor who is experienced in dealing with this condition discuss the different treatment options that is right for you. Contact us for a consultation today.