Perform this simple trick to see if you have flatfoot: wet your feet, and then step on something dark – perhaps a piece of paper, or a paved driveway. Look at your footprint. If it looks like the inside of your foot is missing, then you have an arch in your foot. But if you can see your entire foot outlined from your toes to your heel, then you have no arch – you have flat feet.
Our expert podiatrists at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists in Montgomery, AL have additional ways of diagnosing flatfeet, such as observing how you move your feet, examining your shoes for signs of unusual wear, performing tests to see how strong the muscles are around your feet and ankles, or taking x-rays as needed.
Where did your arch go?!
Sometimes people are born with flat feet. It’s just a hereditary thing. Children will sometimes grow out of the condition, but not always. Be suspicious if your child has chronic pain or cramping in his or her feet, or moves or runs awkwardly. If so, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us. Young feet can become permanently deformed if their flatness isn’t properly treated.
Adults can develop flat feet, too. Causes and risk factors include
- Some forms of arthritis
- Trauma to the tendons of the foot or ankle
- Broken bones
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
Symptoms of flatfoot
Every body is put together just a little bit differently. So, some people with flat feet will hardly even know it, unless they perform the simple wet-foot test! Others will experience feet that are achy all the time. Pain will move from their feet up into their legs or back. Their feet may become painfully swollen, especially at or near where the arch would be.
Treating flatfoot
Dr. Michael L. Rosenberg and Dr. Heidi M. Christie will recommend different treatments depending on the severity of your condition. Home treatment – rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers – may be all you need to relieve your pain. We probably will stress losing weight or getting your diabetes under control, if those are issues for you. Custom shoe inserts and steroid injections can relieve pain and swelling.
If your flat feet are interfering with your life, call our river region office at (334) 396-3668. Make an appointment with us for an exam, the first step toward eliminating the pain and discomfort that often comes with flat fleet.