Flat Feet Q & A
Why do I have flat feet?
You develop flat feet when the arches partially or completely collapse, a problem caused by instability in the ligaments or tendons supporting the arch. Each foot actually has several arches, with the highest one primarily supported by ligaments.
Some children never develop proper arches. You can also develop flat feet in adulthood. When that happens, it’s often due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). The posterior tibial tendon helps support the arch. If the tendon stretches or becomes damaged, the arch collapses.
Your flat feet may be flexible or rigid. Pediatric flat feet are usually flexible, which means they have an arch when sitting, but it collapses when they stand on their feet. Adult flat feet are more likely to be rigid, meaning that the arches are flat all the time.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
Flexible flat feet may not cause symptoms. However, most people with flat feet experience problems, such as:
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Pain in the foot, heel, or ankle
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Pain or cramping in the leg and knee
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Shin splints (pain along the shin bone)
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Aching and fatigue in the foot and leg
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Inward ankle rolling
Loss of the arch alters the movement of your foot and leg and ligament and tendon instability leads to misaligned bones. As a result, flat feet can lead to injuries in your legs and lower spine.
How are flat feet diagnosed?
Your experienced provider does a thorough exam, evaluating your arches and the health of your foot structures. They may ask you to perform a few simple movements so they can assess your tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Finally, they may take digital X-rays or perform ultrasound imaging to determine the severity of the problem.
How are flat feet treated?
Customized orthotics are the standard treatment for flat feet. These traditional orthotics try to control flat feet by pushing up on the arch. However, this approach is ineffective and only leads to further stretching of supportive structures that are already weakened.
Dr. Marzano offers a better and longer-lasting solution called the TCS device. TCS devices are similar to orthotics but they control the position of the heel bone, which stabilizes foot mechanics, protects the ligaments, and eliminates symptoms. The team exclusively uses TCS devices because they’re superior to traditional orthotics.
Call Dr. Marzano of Westchester Podiatric Medicine today or book an appointment online to get expert care for flat feet.