It might seem strange to think that flat feet can cause problems in other places in the body. While a case of rigid or inflexible flat feet can certainly cause pain in the toes, heel, arch, and outside ridge of the foot, patients who let their flat feet go untreated may eventually experience pain in other areas of the body, including the:
- Ankles. Walking continually on a flattened arch puts extra pressure on the ankles, which can cause them to swell or even fracture over time.
- Lower legs. You might experience pain in your calves or a stabbing pain in your shins (known as shin splints) as your body attempts to cope with the stress of an inflexible foot.
- Back and hips. As the pain caused by flat feet travels throughout your body, you may alter your walking pattern to ease the discomfort. In doing so, you place weight on other, less stable areas, including your back, hips, and joints.
The good news is that flat feet often can be treated easily, before you experience any long-term complications. Changing shoes, wearing custom-made orthotics, or doing daily exercises might be enough to reverse the condition. At times, though, surgery may be necessary to correct the fallen arch.
There are many causes of flat foot pain, and your case might call for different treatment from that of another person. Our trusted podiatrists at Healthmark Foot and Ankle Associates can fix flat feet in Media, and it all starts with a consultation. Don’t put it off any longer. Call our office today at 610-565-3668 in Media or 610-933-8644 in Phoenixville.