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Flat Feet and Treatment Options
Foot Condition – Flat Feet
Flat feet (pes planus) occur when one or both of your feet have little to no arch. When you stand, the entire bottom of yourfoot touches the floor, and your feet may point outward. This can happen due to genetics from childhood, injury in adulthood, or as we age our feet tend to flatten out over time.
You may have seen or heard of different spellings or ways to say flat feet. The term Flatfoot can be used interchangeably with flat feet.
Common Causes for Flat Feet
In children
Flat feet are not unusual in infants and toddlers since arches develop during childhood. Some children have “flexible” flat feet where their arch is not noticeable when they are standing, but it is when they’re sitting or up on their tiptoes.
In Adults
Some individuals never develop arches throughout childhood leading to flat feet in adulthood. For some flat feet can happen later in life. Arches can fall after an injury, or overtime as we age. In this case, the tendon that helps support the arch gets weaker.
Some Flat Foot Symptoms
Most people have no symptoms with flat feet. But some people experience flat foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch. Left untreated, pain may worsen.
If you do experience symptoms, some may include:
- The front part of your foot and toes point outward or inward.
- Bunions, bone spurs and tendon damage.
- Swelling along the inside of your ankle.
- Leg cramps and muscle aches or pain in your foot or lower leg.
- Pain in the arch, ankle, heel or outside of the foot.
- Pain when you walk.
- Changes in how you walk.
- Flat foot pain and arthritis may develop in more severe cases.
- In more complicated cases, your feet turn inwards significantly (overpronation), and your knees also turn inward.
- Back pain.
Medical terms for some symptoms
Pes planus is the medical term for flat feet or flat foot, and you may have seen it written as pes planus foot. You also may have read or been told about some of these pes planus causes and symptoms in medical terms:
- Bilateral pes planus simply means both feet are flat.
- Pes planus deformity isn't as serious as it may sound. It's the symptoms we described, such as experiencing your foot turning outwards or inwards.
- Pes planus distortion syndrome means that your feet turn inwards significantly, and your knees also turn inward.
Flat Foot Treatment
There is no real cure for flat feet, but management of low arches and pain can be easy in most cases.
Many people don’t have major problems or need much flat foot treatment. Fortunately, flat foot surgery is rarely needed, so treatment can easily be managed by our specialists in one location.
Many people don’t have major problems or need much flat foot treatment. Fortunately, flat foot surgery is rarely needed, so treatment can easily be managed by our specialists in one location.
LMC Chiropodists provide expert advice on the best options for your situation. In many cases, we usually recommend custom orthotics and proper footwear for common cases.
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Orthotics
Orthotics are the most common treatment for flat feet. LMC Chiropodists design custom orthotics, to fit your foot. The orthotic keeps your foot in line and supports the arches.
Orthotics can reduce the risk of complications such as back pain, bunions, bone spurs and tendon damage.
By wearing orthotics that support your feet and arches, you will notice a difference in the way you step and the additional comfort you feel when doing activities.
Proper Footwear
Proper footwear is essential for keeping flat feet symptoms minimal. Wearing shoes that support your arches makes walking, running and working out more comfortable and reduces the risk of complications.
Some important things to look for in footwear for flat feet:
- Choose shoes with removable inserts so you can use them with your own orthotics.
- Wear wide shoes with arch and heel support.
- A harder sole and heel support can prevent the foot from rolling inward (overpronation).
- High heels are hard on people with flat foot, so opt for lower heels with a cushion and reinforced heel.
Why Choose LMC
We are part of one of Canada’s largest teams of Medical Specialists and treat the most complex foot conditions, such as diabetic wounds, daily. It makes simple cases such as flat feet, heel pain (plantar fasciitis) and plantar warts easily handled by our experts.
Trail Blazers
LMC Healthcare has one of the largest research divisions in North America, Centricity Research. Our Chiropodists (Footcare Specialists) have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge foot health research and new treatment approaches.
Members of the Approved Provider Network (APN)
LMC Healthcare is one of a handful of the most skilled and trusted footcare providers included in the APN. It allows us to be exclusive providers for various hospitals and insurance companies in Ontario.
Collaborative and Convenient Approach
While a referral is not required to see our Chiropodists, we keep your family physician informed every step of the way with assessment and treatment summaries.
You also never have to wait long for an appointment! We have eight easily accessible locations in Ontario. Brampton, Vaughan, Oakville, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Midtown Toronto, Barrie, Ottawa, with more coming soon.
Contact Us About Your Foot or Heel Pain
Book an Appointment | LMC Healthcare
Helping you understand and ease your foot or heel pain
Helping you understand and ease your foot or heel pain
Do you have questions about your foot health? Call us today to find out how our specialists can help!
Phone: 1-844-562-3668
Easily book an appointment online with one of our specialists today to help with your foot health needs
Email us to set up an appointment and find out how our specialists can help improve your foot health!
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