CNN CNN Health

ASK AN EXPERT
Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer. Send us your questions about general health topics, diet and fitness and mental health. If your question is chosen, it could be featured on CNN.com's health page with an answer from one of our health experts, or by a participant in the CNNhealth community.




* CNN encourages you to contribute a question. By submitting a question, you agree to the following terms found below.
You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. By submitting your question, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your questions(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statment.
Thank you for your question!

It will be reviewed and considered for posting on CNNHealth.com. Questions and comments are moderated by CNN and will not appear until after they have been reviewed and approved. Unfortunately, because of the voume of questions we receive, not all can be posted.

Submit another question or Go back to CNNHealth.com

Read answers from our experts: Living Well | Diet & Fitness | Mental Health | Conditions
updated April 09, 2010

Flatfeet

Filed under: Boomer's Health
You have flatfeet when the arch on the inside of your feet is flattened, allowing your entire foot to touch the floor when you stand up.

A common and usually painless condition, flatfeet may occur when the arches don't develop during childhood. In other cases, flatfeet may be caused by an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age.

Flatfeet can sometimes cause problems in your ankles and knees because the condition can force your ankles to turn inward and this throws off the alignment of your legs. If you aren't experiencing any pain, no treatment is usually necessary for flatfeet.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Although many people have no signs or symptoms associated with flatfeet, some people experience:

  • Foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch area
  • Difficulty standing on tiptoe
  • Swelling along the inside of the ankle

When to see a doctor
Talk to your doctor if you or your child is experiencing foot pain.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

A flat foot is normal in infants and toddlers, because the foot's arch hasn't yet developed. Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some people never develop arches. This is a normal variation in foot type, and people without arches may or may not have problems.

Arches can also fall over time. Years of wear and tear can weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs along the inside of your ankle, from above your ankle to your arch.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Factors that can increase your risk of flatfeet include:

  • Obesity
  • Traumatic injury to your foot or ankle
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Aging

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

If your feet are causing you significant pain, your family doctor may refer you to a doctor specializing in foot disorders (podiatrist), sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.

What you can do
When you go to your appointment, wear your everyday shoes because the doctor may want to look at the wear patterns on the soles.

You may also want to prepare a list answering the following questions:

  • When did you first notice any problems with your feet?
  • Where exactly does it hurt?
  • Does anything make the symptoms better or worse?
  • What other medical problems, if any, do you have?
  • Have you ever injured your foot or ankle?

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will consider your medical history and examine your feet. As part of the examination, your doctor will observe your feet from the front and the back and ask you to stand on your toes so he or she can view the mechanics of your feet. He or she may also want to look at the wear pattern on your shoes.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Flatfeet usually can be diagnosed after the physical exam, but your doctor may want X-rays of your feet to help determine the cause of the problem.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

No treatment is necessary for flatfeet if you aren't experiencing any pain.

Therapy

  • Shoe inserts (orthotic devices). Over-the-counter arch supports may help relieve the pain caused by flatfeet. Or your doctor might suggest custom-designed arch supports, which are molded to the contours of your feet. Shoe inserts won't cure flatfeet, but they often reduce the symptoms associated with the disorder.
  • Stretching exercises. Some people with flatfeet also have a shortened Achilles tendon. Exercises to stretch this tendon may help.

Surgery
If you are experiencing disabling pain from a severe posterior tibial tear, you may need tendon surgery.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

  • Rest. Your doctor may recommend rest and avoiding activities that may aggravate your condition until your feet feel better.
  • Medications. Your doctor may suggest you take over-the-counter pain relievers until the pain subsides.
  • Weight loss. If you're overweight, losing weight may help.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Please wait while we retrieve your data
Please wait while we retrieve the data
Ask a Question

Want to know more about this article or other health related issues? Ask your question and we'll post some each week for CNN.com reader to discuss or for our experts to weight in.

Ask a Question button
see more questions »
advertisement
Quick Job Search :
keyword(s):
enter city: