Flat Feet

Flat feet and Fallen Arches treatment, Flatfoot Deformity Treatment in the Harris County, TX: Willowbrook, Lakewood Forest, Jersey Village, Louetta, Klein, Hedwig Village, Cypress (Bridgeland), Memorial, Copperfield Place (Park Row), and Northwest Houston areas

Flat Feet Treatment in Houston (Cypress) and Houston (Memorial), TX

The term “flat feet” refers to feet that have no visible arch when weight is placed on them. Having flat feet is very common. Flat feet are often asymptomatic, but when symptoms do arise, they often include pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot and an overpronated gait or walking pattern.

Babies are born with flat feet, but most will develop an arch within the first few years of life. Sometimes, the arch does not develop, leading to flat feet that last throughout adulthood. In other cases, an arch may develop normally but then flatten over time due to excessive wear and tear, pregnancy, or obesity. Most people with flat feet have flexible flat feet. This means that the feet have a visible arch, but only when they are not bearing weight. Flexible flat feet do not usually cause pain. Rigid flat feet, on the other hand, have no arch regardless of whether or not the feet are bearing any weight. This type of flat foot is more likely to cause symptoms.

If you have flat feet, a podiatrist can help you monitor your foot health and treat any foot or ankle pain that may arise. Wearing over-the-counter or custom orthotics, doing certain foot stretches, and modifying physical activities may help reduce symptoms caused by having flat feet.

Flat Feet (FAQs)

What are flat feet?
Flat feet are feet that do not have a visible arch in the center of the bottom of the foot while bearing weight. There are two main types of flat feet: flexible and rigid. Flexible flat feet have an arch, but it can only be seen when the feet are not bearing weight. Rigid flat feet do not have an arch regardless of whether they are bearing weight or not. Most children are born with flat feet and develop an arch over time. Others are born with flat feet and never develop an arch. It is also possible to have a fully developed arch that collapses over time due to wear and tear, injuries, or pregnancy. 
What problems can flat feet cause?
In people who are born with flat feet and just never develop an arch, there are usually no significant problems caused by the flat feet. Sometimes the gait, or walking pattern, can be affected, with the feet rolling too far inwards while walking. Those who develop flat feet later in life are more likely to have symptoms, including foot pain in the heel or arch area and ankle pain. Flat feet can also make other foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis more likely. 
How can I tell if I have flat feet? 
Flat feet are diagnosed visually. If your foot is laying flat on the floor, bearing weight, and there is no visible arch, then you likely have flat feet. You can also do the wet paper test. Wet your feet and stand on a piece of paper, then remove your foot and look at the resulting footprints. If your footprint looks like a complete foot, this indicates that you most likely have flat feet. 
Can flat feet be fixed?
If your flat feet are causing you pain or discomfort, your doctor can prescribe a variety of treatments. These may include wearing custom-made or over the counter orthotics, choosing more supportive shoes, doing foot stretches, or taking pain medications. 

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