Does almost the entire bottom of your foot, including the arch, touch the ground when you walk or stand? Sounds like you may have flat feet! You can tell the extent of your flat footedness with a simple test: Wet your feet and then stand on a dry, flat surface. If the entire bottom of your foot leaves an imprint, then you have flat feet. Those with normal arches will see a gap in the middle of the imprint where the arch is located.
The proper arch of your foot is essential to proper foot mechanics because of all the force and pressure that is absorbed by the foot during weight bearing. When your arches have fallen, it causes you to walk differently, which creates further problems with the knees, hips, and back.
Signs and Symptoms of Flat Feet
People who have flat feet will show some of the following signs:
- Pain, swelling, and discomfort in the heel and arches
- Your feet get easily tired
- You feel pain and discomfort when standing on your toes
- You are experiencing knee, hip, and back pain
- Stretched or torn tendons
Possible Causes For Flat Feet
Those with flat feet are generally born that way, but sometimes flat feet are created by conditions or injuries such as…
- Breaks or stress fractures
- Arthritis
- Nerve disorders
Your Treatment Options
Properly fitted shoes with the correct arch support will alleviate most or all of these problems. Your foot doctor can perform a computerized gait analysis to see what type of arch support and custom orthotic insert is right for you. For severe symptoms, surgery may be necessary for complete pain relief.
Here at Georgia Podiatry, we believe in providing optimal foot, ankle, and leg care to our clients. Dr. Evan Brody, Dr. Harshil Patel, Dr. Erin Cupolo, and the rest of the staff at our Kennesaw and Austell locations are ready and eager to help treat your feet. Call us at 678-310-0540 to make an appointment today.