Childhood Flatfeet
Many children and adolescents have flat – appearing feet that don’t cause any painful symptoms. They usually outgrow this as their muscles develop, and it doesn’t require any treatment as long as it is painfree.
Adult Flatfeet
For those adults who had flatfeet as children, there is the potential to develop pain later in life. They may notice that their feet appear flatter as they get older, and daily activities result in pain through their ankle, heel and arches. They often get fitted for arch supports, which alleviate only part of their pain.
“Whether you are born with flatfeet or develop a ‘fallen arch’ later on in life, if it is painful, you should contact a doctor.”
“Fallen Arches”
Some people don’t have flatfeet during childhood or early adulthood, but develop a “fallen arch” of one or both feet. There is often pain over the inside part of the ankle, and the ankle and feet swell. This is due to a tear of an important tendon in the ankle called the posterior tibialis.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Whether you are born with flatfeet or develop a “fallen arch” later on in life, if it is painful, you should contact a doctor. The source of the pain is usually an injury to the posterior tibialis tendon. This tendon is responsible for stabilizing the foot and ankle, and if this is left untreated, patients develop pain and deformity in the foot and ankle that eventually leaves them unable to walk normally.
Treatment at Tomball Regional Hospital
Matt Hammit, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Texas Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, specializes in treatment of foot and ankle disorders. “I see many patients with painful flatfeet or fallen arches. If they come in early enough, I can usually successfully treat them with nonoperative measures. Once the conditions has been there for awhile, it usually means the posterior tibialis tendon is torn, and then we have to operate. Fortunately, the surgery is very successful, with a 90-95 percent chance of complete pain relief.” The surgery involves transferring a healthy tendon to function for the one that is torn. If done early enough, the arch can be recreated and no long – term problems will occur.
Many children and adolescents have flat – appearing feet that don’t cause any painful symptoms. They usually outgrow this as their muscles develop, and it doesn’t require any treatment as long as it is painfree. For those adults who had flatfeet as children, there is the potential to develop pain later in life.
