How a Podiatrist Can Help Manage Flat Feet and Arch Pain

Your feet are nature’s shock absorbers, helping to support your weight when you walk. Your feet help to cushion your back, joints, and body from the stresses of walking, standing, and running. When you have flat feet, your feet don’t absorb stress either. Flat feet can cause arch pain and increase your risk of pain in other areas of your body. Your podiatrist can help. Dr. James Hurst of Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA, provides a wide range of podiatry care, including treatment and management of flat feet and arch pain.

What You Need To Know About Flat Feet and Arch Pain

When you have flat feet, it means your entire foot, including your arch, contacts the walking surface. You are at increased risk of developing flat feet if you:

• Are older
• Have diabetes
• Carry excess weight
• Have rheumatoid arthritis
• Experience an ankle or foot injury

When you have flat feet, it’s common to experience arch pain. You may also experience:

• Foot and leg fatigue
• Increasing foot pain when you are active
• Swelling and pain on the inside of your ankle
• Increased leg and lower back pain

If you suffer occasional arch or foot pain associated with flat feet, you may be able to get relief if you try:

• Switching from high-impact sports like running to low-impact sports like swimming
• Losing excess weight to relieve foot stress and pressure
• Resting and elevating your feet whenever you can
• Applying ice to your feet several times each day
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

If you are suffering from frequent arch and foot pain associated with flat feet, you should seek out the expertise of a podiatrist. Professional treatments for foot and arch pain associated with flat feet include:

• Custom-fit orthotics and other supportive devices
• Stretching and physical therapy to maintain flexibility
• Thermal therapy reduces swelling and boosts circulation
• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation

Surgery may also be recommended for severe cases of arch and foot pain caused by flat feet. Surgical treatment may repair damaged tendons and ligaments, restore normal foot function, and improve mobility.

Want To Know More About Flat Feet and Arch Pain?

To learn more about how a podiatrist can help manage flat feet and arch pain, call Dr. James Hurst of Centreville Foot & Ankle & Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA. You can reach him in the office by calling (703) 830-3338, so call today.