Flat feet
Flat feet, or fallen arches, means the arch of your foot sits low or touches the ground when you stand. Some people have no pain at all, while others develop arch pain, heel pain or tired feet. Fiona assesses flat feet in an initial consultation from $100 and can offer orthotics, stretching programs and footwear advice.
What flat feet are
Flat feet is a condition where the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the inside of the foot rests closer to the ground when standing. It can be congenital, meaning you are born with it, or acquired over many years of tension on the foot. Both children and adults can have flat feet. Some people feel pain, while others notice nothing and go about daily life much like anyone else. Flat feet can still contribute to other problems, including arch pain, heel pain, bunions, osteoarthritis and knee, hip and back issues.
Symptoms
Many people with flat feet have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Feet that tire easily
- Painful or achy feet, especially in the arches and heels
- Swelling along the inside bottom of the feet
- Difficulty standing on your toes
- Back and leg pain
Causes and risk factors
Flat feet in adults can arise from several causes. An abnormality present from birth is one possibility. Stretched or torn tendons, broken or dislocated bones, nerve problems and health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can all lead to a fallen arch.
One commonly affected structure is the posterior tibial tendon, which runs from the lower leg, along the ankle, to the middle of the arch. Damage or inflammation of this tendon can cause the arch to collapse. Other factors that increase your risk include carrying extra weight, a traumatic injury to your foot or ankle, rheumatoid arthritis and ageing.
Treatment at the clinic
Fiona treats every patient herself at The Fresh Foot Centre. She assesses your foot posture and the way you walk, check muscle lengths and joint range of motion, look at your footwear, and ask about your activities and sports. When intervention is needed, she develops a management plan for your flat feet.
Treatment options include custom orthotics from $650, including the biomechanical assessment, fitting and a review appointment, or semi-custom orthotics from $450, including the biomechanical assessment and fitting. Fiona can also provide stretching and strengthening programs, strapping and taping, and footwear advice. Orthotics do not cure flat feet. They often reduce symptoms. Children are seen from 4 years old.
Looking after it at home
Supportive shoes are usually better tolerated than sandals or shoes with minimal support. Some people with flat feet have a shortened Achilles tendon, and stretches for this tendon may help. Fiona can show you the right stretches and advise on choosing supportive footwear during your consultation.
When to see a podiatrist
See Fiona for an assessment if your feet or knees hurt when walking or doing activities, you fall or trip more than your peers, or you have a family history of problematic flat feet. A flat foot affecting only one foot deserves a prompt check. Pain, swelling on the inside of the foot, difficulty standing on your toes, or feet that tire easily are all reasons to book. Some causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis or nerve problems, are managed by your GP or a specialist, and Fiona can refer you back to your doctor when needed.
Questions
Is it normal for children to have flat feet?
It is normal for kids under 5 years old to have flat feet. The navicular bone, the arch bone, begins to develop between about 2.5 and 5 years of age, and the arch normally forms after that. Many children never develop an arch and remain without symptoms.
Do flat feet always need treatment?
Flat feet without symptoms usually do not need treatment. When a child over 6 has flat feet with pain, frequent falls, or a family history of problematic flat feet, a podiatry review can help. Fiona can assess the feet and advise whether orthotics, stretches or simply observation suit your child.
Can orthotics fix flat feet?
Orthotics cannot cure flat feet, but they often reduce symptoms such as arch and heel pain. Fiona scans your feet with a 3D scanner for custom orthotics, or fits semi-custom orthotics, and reviews how they work for you at a follow-up appointment.