Get Relief From Flat Feet With Our Professional Podiatry Care
Not everyone grows out of flat foot, which is why at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney, our talented podiatry team will begin a conservative treatment to provide pain relief. At our locations in Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney, Texas, we offer conservative and surgical care using the latest high-tech equipment and protocols.
What Is Flat Foot And How Does It Affect Your Life?
Flat foot is when the natural arches of the foot have not developed during childhood and can become a painful condition when left untreated by a podiatrist. It is most noticeable when weight is applied to the foot and the middle of the foot touches the ground. Having flat foot can disrupt daily activities due to the lack of support and increased stress that is placed on the foot and ankle.
Foot arches are an important way for feet to absorb physical shock and move forward when walking and running. Without this natural support, there are many negative short-term and long-term consequences, such as:
- Arch, heel, and foot pain
- Fatigue
- Difficulties walking
- Swelling around the inside of the ankle
- Ankles move inward causing increased discomfort
- Alignment disruption of the legs
- Increased chance of arthritis in the knees
Flexible Flat Foot
Flexible flatfoot is most common during childhood due to the natural development of the foot arches. This condition applies when the foot shows an arch when the person does not apply weight to their foot and then the arch will collapse when they are standing.
For children, this condition usually does not cause any pain and will improve as the child grows older. If an adult still has flat foot, then it is most likely due to heredity. For some, this can be asymptomatic, however, to alleviate any pain it is important to see a podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney. Your podiatrist can recommend orthotics to provide support for your foot.
Rigid Flat Foot
Rigid flat foot is a serious condition that can be linked to certain types of bone or joint disorders, such as tarsal coalition. Rigid flat foot can be diagnosed in children once they have reached the age of 6 with no signs of a natural forming foot arch. Unlike flexible flat foot, rigid flat foot will continue to have a collapsed arch even when there is not any pressure applied to the foot.
Rigid flatfoot in children, teens, or adults can be indicative of a structural issue or misalignment due to a congenital disorder or injury. It is important to have this painful condition examined and treated by one of our board-certified podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney.
Find the Right Treatment For Your Child's Flat Foot Condition
Flat foot is most often diagnosed as a problem when your child reaches age 6 and the natural development of a foot arch has not happened. It is easy to see when a child's foot does not develop an arch by how the middle of the foot touches the ground.
Foot arches are an important way for feet to absorb physical shock and move forward when walking and running. Without this natural support, your child can suffer from arch pain, achy legs, fatigue, and foot pain.
Our podiatrists will recommend orthotics therapy to help your child stay active without feeling pain. Orthotics are medical inserts your child will slip into their shoes. Once in there, they reposition the foot, thereby supporting the arches and placing them at a more normal height.
What Is a Tarsal Coalition?
Tarsal coalition is a foot deformity that occurs when the two tarsal bones, located in the back of the foot, are connected either by bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue. This condition is one of the underlying reasons why a person could be diagnosed with rigid flat foot.
Even though tarsal coalition is not diagnosed until late childhood or adolescence, abnormal bone development begins during the fetal stages. The person will only show signs of this condition as their bones start maturing. Other less common circumstances that have led to tarsal coalition include infection, arthritis, or an injury to the area.
Tarsal coalition is commonly known to cause limited and painful mobility of the foot. Other symptoms include:
- Mild or severe pain when walking or standing
- Tired or achy legs
- Muscle spasms in the leg, causing the foot to turn outward when walking
- Rigid Flatfoot (in one or both feet)
- Walking with a limp
- Stiffness of the foot and ankle
Treatments For Flat Foot
For an accurate diagnosis, your podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney will physically examine your foot to determine which type of flat foot you have. In order to treat rigid flat foot and test for tarsal coalition, our podiatrist will use our advanced imaging services to get a full screening of your foot structure.
Your podiatrist will begin with the most conservative treatments first for most conditions. These treatments include:
- Orthotics that will reposition the foot, thereby supporting the arches
- Arch supports
- Supportive Shoes
- Bracing
- Casting
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct severe flat foot. This is usually only recommended in cases where the condition is causing significant pain or functional impairment.
Reconstruction For Painful Flat Foot
Every case of flat foot is different and in most cases, a conservative treatment plan is enough to provide relief from flat foot pain. For severe cases, reconstruction surgery is the only way to achieve long-term pain relief. This procedure involves the re-alignment of the bones in the foot, as well as the ligaments, tendons, and fascia which support them. It may also involve the use of an artificial joint, such as a subtler joint implant.
By reshaping the foot bones and supporting structures, such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles, this surgical treatment will improve your foot's anatomical alignment. This alignment can correct the deformity, reduce pain and discomfort, and improve the function of the foot. It is important to note that while this procedure can provide significant improvements, it can also involve a long period of recovery, and the need for physical therapy to help with the rehabilitation process.