A Little About Flat Feet
At Pittle Podiatry, our family has been caring for El Paso's feet since 1972, father to son, generation to generation, and flat feet are something we see in kids, grown-ups, and grandparents alike. Some folks have never had a problem with them, and others feel it with every step. Let's talk about the difference.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flat feet, sometimes called fallen arches, means the arch on the inside of your foot is low or disappears when you stand. Some people are born with flat feet, and others develop them over time. A quick way to check at home is to wet your feet and step on a flat surface. If your footprint shows almost your whole foot, you likely have a low arch.
What Causes It?
- Family history, since foot shape is often inherited
- Being born with arches that never fully developed
- Wear and tear over the years, especially from standing or walking a lot
- Injury to the foot or ankle
- Weight gain, pregnancy, or aging
- Certain health conditions that affect the joints and tendons
When Do Flat Feet Cause Problems?
Plenty of people with flat feet have no pain at all, and that's fine. But for others, flat feet can show up as:
- Aching or tired feet, especially in the arch and heel
- Pain on the inside of the ankle
- Swelling along the inside of the ankle
- Shoes that wear down unevenly
- Pain in the knees, hips, or lower back
- Trouble standing or walking for long periods
Doing All We Can
If flat feet are causing you trouble, there's a lot we can do before anything more serious comes up:
- Supportive shoes that fit your feet and your activities
- Arch supports or custom orthotics
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Changes to your activities when your feet need a break
- Further evaluation when pain doesn't improve or the foot is changing
When to Come See Us
Come in if your feet hurt, if your arch seems to be changing or collapsing, if your child complains of foot pain or tires easily, or if flat feet are getting in the way of work and play. Catching it early gives us more ways to help.
We treat every patient like family. We're proud to offer bilingual care for our El Paso community, because taking care of your feet is taking care of your family. Schedule an appointment with Pittle Podiatry today and let us take it from here.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please talk with your provider about your specific foot and ankle health needs.