Non-surgical treatments for Flexible Flatfoot

Non-surgical treatments to Flexible Flatfoot

If you experience symptoms with flexible flatfoot, the surgeon may recommend non-surgical treatment options, including:

1) Activity modifications. Cut down on activities that bring you pain and avoid prolonged walking and standing to give your arches a rest.

2) Weight loss. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Putting too much weight on your arches may aggravate your symptoms.

3) Orthotic devices. Your foot and ankle surgeon can provide you with custom orthotic devices for your shoes to give more support to the arches.

4) Immobilization. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a walking cast or to completely avoid weight-bearing.

5) Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce pain and inflammation.

6) Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may be used to provide temporary relief.

7) Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that support the arches is important for anyone who has flatfoot.

Sources:

"Flexible Flatfoot." Flexible Flatfoot. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2016. <http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/flatfoot.htm>.

Direct source:

http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/flatfoot.htm

Flexible Flatfoot in Children

Flexible Flatfoot in children

A flexible flatfoot is considered to be a variation of a normal foot. The muscles and joints of a flexible flatfoot function normally. Most children are born with very little arch in the feet. As they grow and walk, the soft tissues along the bottom of the feet tighten, which gradually shapes the arches of the feet. Children with flexible flatfoot often do not begin to develop an arch until the age of 5 years or older. Some children never develop an arch. If flexible flatfoot continues into adolescence, a child may experience aching pain along the bottom of the foot. A doctor should be consulted if a child's flatfeet cause pain.

Flexible flatfoot is common in children. Parents and other family members often worry needlessly that an abnormally low or absent arch in a child's foot will lead to permanent deformities or disabilities. Flexible flatfoot is usually painless and does not interfere with walking or sports participation. Most children eventually outgrow it without any problems.

These pictures show a person affected by Flexible flatfoot, where if the person stands on their toes an arch is visible but otherwise while standing is not visible.

This is another picture of a person with Flexible flatfoot, note the absence of an arch.

Pictures and information from:

"Flexible Flatfoot in Children." OrthoInfo. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2016. <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046>.

Direct source:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046