Flat Foot Specialist

What are flat feet?

Flat feet, or flatfoot, are terms that describe the absence of a normal arch in your foot. Everybody is born with flat feet. Your arches develop when you’re a child.

However, if your arches don’t develop for some reason, you’ll end up with flat feet. This condition also occurs in later years, sometimes due to injury or an illness affecting the structure of your feet.

Flat feet are sometimes harmless; not everyone with the condition experiences pain or other issues. Usually, a noticeable arch deformity is present when you stand.

What are the symptoms of flat feet?

Flat feet sometimes don’t cause any symptoms except that your entire foot touches the ground when you stand. However, if you do have symptoms, they can include:

• Aching pain in your leg or foot
• Pain with walking
• Changes in how you walk
• Cramping in your legs
• Pain in your heel or arch of the foot

You may also notice that your toes and feet begin to point outward. This is known as toe drift, and it can affect your gait.

How are flat feet diagnosed?

To properly diagnose flat feet, Dr. Guan performs a detailed exam of your foot. While you’re standing, he looks to see your entire foot touches the floor.

Dr. Guan has you stand on your toes to determine the type of flatfoot you have. If an arch is present when you stand on your toes, you have flexible flat feet and need no further intervention.

If there’s no arch with toe-standing, you likely have rigid flat feet. Dr. Guan orders other testing, such as an MRI or X-rays, to look at the bone structure in your feet.

Can you treat flat feet?

Dr. Guan bases flatfoot treatment on your symptoms and type of flatfoot. Conservative measures help flexible flat feet and include:

• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Calf stretching
• Specialized footwear

Casting may be needed in cases of rigid flatfoot. Dr. Guan recommends surgery if your condition is causing problems with walking. This may include rebuilding the arch with tendons or fusing joints in the foot.

If you have flat feet and are looking for treatments, call the Bay Area Foot and Ankle Medical Clinic today to make an appointment. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Guan online.