Flat Feet Serving Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Leesburg, Warrenton, Reston, Gainesville, Falls Church, & Centreville, VA
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, can affect your entire body. Your feet function as shock absorbers to relieve the stress of impact. When you suffer from flat feet, your legs, back, hips, and other areas may be affected. While the condition itself is typically painless, it can cause problems elsewhere in the body due to the way it alters the alignment of the leg. Our house call podiatrist, Dr. Gregory Cardinal, can help provide relief.
Risk Factors for Flat Feet
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing flat feet. These include:
- Being older
- Having diabetes
- Carrying excess weight
- Having rheumatoid arthritis
- Experiencing an ankle or foot injury
One of the most common varieties of the disorder is flexible flatfoot, which begins in childhood. The arch will appear when the child is sitting down or on tiptoe, but disappears as soon as they put full standing pressure on the foot. While many children grow out of flexible flatfoot, for some in perpetuates into adulthood. It is also possible to acquire flatfoot as an adult, either by injury or as a result of diseases such as arthritis or diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Flat Feet
Flat feet are not typically painful on their own, but they can contribute to signs and symptoms like these:
- Foot and leg fatigue
- Painful arches or heels
- Increasing foot pain when you are active
- Swelling and pain on the inside of your ankle
What You Can Do To Get Relief From Flat Feet
You can try some simple tips and home remedies to get relief from flat feet, including:
- Switching from high-impact sports like running to low-impact sports like swimming
- Losing excess weight to relieve foot stress and pressure
- Resting and elevating your feet whenever you can
- Applying ice to your feet several times daily
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
How Our House Call Podiatrist Can Help You Get Relief From Flat Feet
For chronic, moderate to severe pain associated with flat feet, it’s best to contact our podiatrist, who may recommend:
- Custom-fit orthotics and other supportive devices
- Stretching and physical therapy to maintain flexibility
- Thermal therapy to reduce swelling and boost circulation
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication
Flatfoot treatments are usually conservative, including orthotics and supportive footwear. Surgery is possible, but is typically performed to correct the cause of flatfoot mending a torn tendon, for instance. The foot surgery involves repairing damaged tendons and ligaments, restoring normal foot function and mobility. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, can also be helpful.