Flat Foot Correction and Reconstruction in Studio City

Contact our office today to learn about flat foot correction and reconstruction in Studio City so that you can find relief from symptoms and discomfort.

A flat foot is one in which the arch on the inside of the foot has become flattened and thus lets the whole sole of the foot touch the ground when the patient is standing, and flat foot correction and reconstruction in Studio City is an effective method of treatment.

Types of Flat Feet

Everybody is born with flat feet, and most people develop arches during childhood. Some people, however, don’t and their arches remain flat. This is a normal variation, and most people with congenital flat foot don’t have problems.

Some children have flexible flat feet, which means their feet appear to have arches when they are sitting or standing, but look flat when they stand. Most youngsters outgrow this condition without any problems.

Flat feet can also be an acquired condition. As some people age, the tendon that runs inside of the ankle and helps support the arch can become weak and causes the arch to fall. Some foot injuries can also damage or weaken the tendon supporting the arch, causing the patient to develop flat feet. Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and obesity all increase a patient’s risk of developing flat feet.

Symptoms for Flat Foot Correction and Reconstruction in Studio City

Flat feet are usually harmless and don’t cause pain. If a child’s feet does cause them pain, the problem might be a rare condition called tarsal coalition in which two more bones of the feet have fused together.

Regardless of the patient’s age, the following symptoms mean it’s time to go to the doctor:

• Difficulty moving the feet
• Sore feet, especially if the painful area is in the heel or arch
• Feet that tire easily
• Swollen feet
• Pain in the legs or back

Home Treatments

There are ways that a person with flat feet can help themselves at home. Some, like maintaining a healthy weight, would also help with overall health. Obesity does increase the risk of fallen arches and the attending pain. Similarly, conditions like diabetes that can cause or exacerbate flat feet need to be treated.

The patient should also avoid activities that can aggravate their feet. Running on a hard surface like a road puts a lot of stress on the feet and can cause them pain. High-impact sports like tennis, basketball, and soccer can also aggravate flat feet. The patient should either avoid such sports altogether or wear shoes and/or inserts that can give them the needed support. If the patient experiences pain, they should rest, use ice to reduce any swelling and take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.

Regarding Shoes

The arch of the foot acts as a natural shock absorber and protects the rest of the body from the impact caused by walking or running. People with flat feet lack that natural shock absorber and thus need shoes that can mimic an arch’s function and support their feet. They also need to avoid shoes like flip-flops or high heels that don’t support the feet. Patients should look for shoes that are described as offering “added support.” Your foot doctor can help you find the best shoes for your feet and the correct size.

Flat feet can also make a person pronate or turn their ankle inward when they walk or run. That can put stress on the ankle, foot or leg and even lead to injuries. Stability shoes are designed to prevent pronation, and many brands of athletic shoes offer stability models. The patient can buy motion control shoes if they have a severe case of pronation. These shoes provide extra support and keep the patient’s ankle straight while they’re walking or running.

Treatments

Arch supports or orthotic devices are shoe inserts that support the foot and provide the shock absorption the arch is supposed to. They can be custom-made by a podiatrist, physical therapist or some physicians. There are also over-the-counter orthotics, but these are not as effective as ones made by your podiatrist.

Some orthoses look a bit like boots. They can immobilize the foot which gives the tendon a chance to heal, and they support the arch. Some types are worn in the shoe, which gives the arch and ankle extra support.

Flat feet are often caused by tight and/or weak tendons, and physical therapy can help strengthen those tendons and thus make the arch higher. A physical therapist will teach the patient various exercises and stretches. Most patients will need to meet and work with the therapist two or three times a week for four to eight weeks to get the desired results. A physical therapist can also offer treatments for sore feet. For instance, they can put a sturdy tape on the patient’s foot and create a temporary artificial arch to relieve pain. They can also use electrotherapy to treat plantar fasciitis (tender and inflamed arches).

Surgery is usually only done after all other treatment options have been tried and failed. The doctor will probably want a scan like an X-ray or MRI to try to determine the cause of the problem. Surgery is especially likely to be performed if the flat foot is caused by an injury like a torn or ruptured tendon. It is also likely in cases of tarsal coalition. If both feet are affected, the surgeon will typically operate on one foot at a time so the patient will not be completely incapacitated. Recovery times vary depending on the procedure. At our office, we rely on minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery time.

In many cases, a patient with flat feet has a damaged posterior tibial tendon. If it is torn, the surgeon will remove it and then reroute the tendon supporting the little toes so it can help support the arch. In other cases, the flatfoot is caused by an abnormally short Achilles tendon. The surgeon will stretch muscle fibers in the calf to lengthen it.

Before your flat foot correction and reconstruction in Studio City, your foot doctor will determine the cause of your fallen arches in order to determine the best treatment approach.