I am concerned about flat feet

Should I seek professional help for flat feet?

Most flat feet cause no trouble and do not need treatment. But you may consider consulting your GP or podiatrist if:

your feet are painful
your shoes wear out very quickly
your feet are getting flatter
your feet feel stiff, or weak
you cannot feel your feet normally

What can be done about flat feet?

In most cases, no treatment is needed as flat feet cause few problems. Most people whose flat feet ache feel better in well-fitted shoes with an arch-support or insole: sometimes an extra-broad fitting helps. This would normally be provided by a podiatrist.

People with flat feet due to a disorder of the nervous system may need special insoles, shoes or braces to support their feet or legs. Some will need an operation to straighten their feet.

A flat foot due to a tendon problem (tibialis posterior tendonopathy) can initially be treated with physiotherapy, insoles and painkillers. However, in more advanced cases, or in patients who do not respond to this treatment, an operation is required to realign the heel bone and to transfer a substitute tendon to elevate the arch of the foot. In very severe cases where the flat foot is stiff and painful, a fusion of the hindfoot may be necessary to straighten the foot and get rid of the pain.

What about treating flat feet in children?

The arch in children does not become apparent until the age of 7-9 years old. Most children have ‘mobile flat feet’; this condition either needs no treatment or, sometimes, an insole to minimise pain or reduce shoe wear. However, if the flat feet persist and become painful, further investigation may be required. Children who have an abnormal foot because it has not developed properly, may need an operation to straighten the foot or to separate fused bones.