Are Flat Feet Bad?

Has anyone ever told you having flat feet are bad? Flat feet, otherwise known as pes planus in the medical world, have long been misunderstood and unfairly labelled in a negative way.

At JS Podiatry, we see many patients with flat feet, many associating their cause of pain with having no foot arch. Well, let’s explore the good and the bad of flat feet! 

What are flat feet?

Flat feet is not a diagnosis in itself, it is the appearance of collapsed arches or feet rolling inwards when walking. Having flat feet can be genetic or can present over time with an injury, increasing age, or certain medical conditions. 

Many patients with flat feet can go their whole life without having pain or problems with mobility in their feet, because having flat feet does not always equate to poor foot health and function. 

Is there a downside?

Even though it isn’t ‘bad’ to have flat feet, we do see more musculoskeletal and biomechanical issues in patients with this foot structure over patients with a neutral foot. Some patients with flat feet experience discomfort or pain in their feet, ankles, knees, and lower back due to their biomechanics. Flat feet can increase the risk of heel pain, calf pain, ligament and tendon damage in the feet, and even ingrown toenails!  

How can we help?

Whilst flat feet are not a diagnosis, they can form part of the clinical picture for your foot pain or biomechanical condition. At JS Podiatry, our exceptional podiatrists can provide you with a detailed and personalised management plan to suit your individual goals.

This can include:

Biomechanical analysis: An in-depth non-weightbearing and weightbearing assessment using our Zebris Cosmos treadmill. We will run through the data with you and how your biomechanics is affecting your movement. 

Footwear education: Some shoes are designed specifically to suit low arches, and wearing supportive footwear can make a huge difference for flat feet. Our podiatrists will give you footwear recommendations for every occasion, including casual, sports and work shoes.

Custom made orthotics: Custom shoe inserts are offloading devices, they are designed to offload areas of pressure in your feet and ankles. We can use the custom shoe inserts to help with biomechanical alignment and offload painful structures in feet, ankles, knees, and lower back!

Exercise programs: Strength and conditioning is an important part of any treatment program. It allows both the small and large muscles to remain stable and strong for your everyday life. A personalised exercise program, coupled with supportive footwear and functional shoe inserts, are the fundamentals of any effective treatment plan! 

So, is having flat feet bad?

The short answer is no! However, as we have seen, it can increase your risk of injury or biomechanical alignment problems. If you have any concerns about the appearance of your feet or knees, or wondering if your flat feet are the cause of your pain and discomfort, book in for a initial consultation or biomechanical assessment with one of our amazing podiatrists! 

We look forward to seeing you at JS Podiatry and getting you back to the active life you love!