Many people have flat feet and never have a problem. Flatfoot needs attention only when it is painful, getting worse, or limiting walking.
Children
Most babies and young children have flexible flat feet that improve with growth and need no treatment. A child should be assessed if the foot is stiff or painful, the child limps or tires easily, or only one foot is flat.
Adults
In adults a foot that was once normal can slowly collapse, most often because the tendon that supports the arch has weakened. This is called adult acquired flatfoot. Typical signs are pain and swelling along the inner ankle, a flattening arch and the heel tilting outwards.
Treatment
- Non-surgical: supportive shoes, custom insoles or a brace and physiotherapy help many patients.
- Surgery: when these are not enough, joint-preserving operations such as a heel bone osteotomy with tendon transfer can rebuild the arch. If the joints are already worn, fusing the affected joints may be the best way to relieve pain.
The choice depends on how flexible the foot is, how much arthritis is present and what you need from your foot.
The information on this website is for health education and does not replace a medical examination or direct consultation.
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