When To See a Podiatrist for Flat Feet

Do your feet suffer from a lack of an arch? If so, you may have flat feet in Fairfax, VA. This condition is usually not a major issue, but you should know when to see a podiatrist, such as Dr. My Hoa Kaas or Dr. Jay Ryan, to help. When flat feet give you problems, make an appointment for care at the Virginia Foot and Ankle Center.

What Are Flat Feet?

 Flat feet live up to their name. This condition is marked by a lack of a visible arch on one or both feet. The most common type is flexible flat feet, where the arches may be visible when you're not standing but disappear under your body weight. Rigid flat feet produce no arches whether you're standing or sitting.

While flat feet often occur in childhood or the teen years, it can also happen later in adulthood. Adult-acquired fallen arches can happen suddenly. Someone may also be born with a congenital defect that prevents your foot arches from forming. Such a condition is called rocker bottom foot, and the name comes from the fact that the bottom of the foot resembles a rocking chair. The condition is visible in infants.

When to See a Podiatrist for Care?

 If your flat feet in Fairfax, VA, begin to cause pain or limit your movement, it's time to seek professional care from your local podiatrist at Virginia Foot and Ankle Center. If you're experiencing inflammation and difficulty flexing the foot area, your local podiatrist can start correcting it with stretching exercises. Some stretching exercises include heel raises, arch lifts, toe curls, or using your toes to pick up marbles off the floor.

Your foot doctor may prescribe custom orthodontics, custom inserts that go in your shoes. Expect your podiatrist to recommend more supportive shoes that are often wide with a lower heel. Some anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation in the area. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to help create an arch, fuse bones, and repair tendons so you can have better mobility with your feet. We do reconstructive surgery for flat feet if needed in both children and adults.  

Something as simple as getting more rest can also heal your feet strained from overuse, especially if you run or stand on a hard surface or in hard shoes all day.

Dr. Kaas and Dr. Ryan are your trusted podiatrists who can help you when you visit the Virginia Foot and Ankle Center. Thanks to their expertise, you can manage and possibly cure your flat feet concerns in Fairfax, VA. Call our office at 703- 205-0770 for a consultation today.