Skip to main content
505-226-7893 Request Appointment Make a Payment

Flat Feet Specialist

Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists Our Services Flat Feet

Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists

Podiatrists & Podiatric Surgeons located in Farmington, NM

Flat feet, a condition in which you don’t have a normal foot arch, can cause pain and might trigger other foot problems. Both children and adults can have the medical condition known as flatfoot. If you believe you have flat feet, it's important to get it checked out regardless of your age so that you can prevent other foot-related issues in the future. The skilled and compassionate podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists are well-versed in treating patients with flat feet. Request an appointment by calling the office in Farmington, New Mexico, or using the online booking tool.

Flat Feet

What is flatfoot?

Flatfoot is a condition in which your foot arch collapses, either partially or fully. The two main types of flatfoot are flexible and rigid.

Flexible flatfoot

Flexible flatfoot is common and can get better on its own. This kind of flatfoot might not cause any symptoms, other than the obviously fallen arch. If you stand on your toes with flexible flatfoot, an arch temporarily appears.

Rigid flatfoot

Rigid flatfoot is the more serious form of the condition. Usually, it causes lower leg and/or foot pain and requires treatment. If you stand on your toes with rigid flatfoot, the arch won't appear.

Although most causes of flatfoot show up in children, it's also possible to develop it as an adult.

What causes flatfoot?

Flatfoot might be genetic in many children. If flatfoot develops as an adult, the cause is often related to wear-and-tear. Obesity, regular high-impact exercise, diabetes, tendon damage, and other conditions and circumstances contribute to flatfoot.

When is flatfoot a problem?

If flatfoot develops suddenly or is causing symptoms, it's a problem that you need help with. Flatfoot can cause or contribute to things like foot and leg pain, difficulty exercising, dull foot ache after standing for long periods, and discomfort when wearing most shoes.

Flatfoot can also cause changes over time in the structure of your feet. Sometimes, flatfoot sufferers develop additional foot problems like bunions.

Flatfoot in children might not require treatment because most children don’t have symptoms. The majority of children develop an arch as they grow up. Only 1-2 out of every 10 kids still have flatfoot when they’re adults. Adult-onset flatfoot is more likely to require treatment.

How is flatfoot treated?

Your treatment can include a variety of noninvasive and minimally invasive approaches like:

  • Standing less
  • Custom orthotics 
  • Braces
  • Therapy
  • Monitored, altered exercises
  • Calcaneal osteotomy 
  • Flexor digitorum longus transfer
  • Prescription footwear

Usually, nonsurgical solutions can relieve your flatfoot symptoms. But, if you need surgery, the podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists can help. 

For flatfoot help at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What we offer

Services