How You Can Avoid Pain Due To Flat Feet By Working With Your Podiatrist
By adulthood, most people will have developed normal arches. For those that do not, flat feet can often occur. Flat feet are not always a painful condition, but in some cases treatment is necessary to eliminate nagging pain.
What Are Flat Feet And Do I Have Them?
Flat feet generally occur because the tendons holding the joints together in your feet are loose. As children get older, these tendons tighten and an arch forms. However, sometimes this does not happen and the result is flat feet. In addition, aging, injuries and illness may cause flat feet to develop later on in life.
In most cases, flat feet produce no pain or symptoms. In these cases, there is no need for any treatment or change in lifestyle. However, if you do experience pain due to flat feel, there are treatment options available to you.
Symptoms that may occur in people with flat feet include:
*Lower back, hip or knee pain
*Pain along the shin bone (shin splints)
*General aching or fatigue in the foot or leg
*Pain in the heel, arch, ankle or along the outside of the foot
How Your Podiatrist Can Help
Your Cumming, GA podiatrist can help in the diagnosis and treatment process of flat feet. Depending on how severe your condition is, anti-inflammatory medications, icing, physical therapy, supportive taping, bracing or orthotics may be used to treat your flat feet.
You should talk to your podiatrist before taking any medications or performing any sort of treatments yourself. In some cases, surgery can be performed to repair a torn or damaged tendon and return it to normal function. In severe cases, surgery on the midfoot bones may also be performed to treat flat feet.
Surgery may also include lengthening the Achilles tendon, cutting the muscle fibers that form the Achilles tendon, a cut in the heel bone and a procedure along the arch of your foot to recreate an arch.
If you have flat feet and are experiencing severe or mild pain, talk to your Cumming, GA podiatrist for further consultation to what can get rid of your pain. It is important for you to always consult with your podiatrist before taking treatment into your own hands. Flat feet are not always a painful or bothersome condition. But if they are, don't hesitate to seek treatment from your podiatrist.
To learn more about flat feet or to schedule an appointment, talk to your Cumming podiatrist as soon as you can. He or she will be able to give you more information.