Flat Feet: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

What are flat feet??

Flat feet are the result of a collapsed arch. When you stand, not all of your feet should touch the ground. If they do, you most likely have flat feet. Our feet are the foundation of our body, and if our feet are unhealthy, it effects our entire body. Having flat feet can cause changes in your skeletal structure and potentially pull your joints out of alignment.

What causes flat feet?

Flat feet usually develop because of excessive foot stress. If you do not use proper care when injured or sore from long days of work, you add to the stress on your feet. A few examples of excessive foot stress include:

Weakened muscles in the foot, ankle, and lower leg from aging or weight gain.
Standing or walking for long periods of time, especially in heels or dress shoes.
Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable and lack proper arch support.
Foot injuries, such as broken bones or sprained ankles.

Do you know if you have flat feet?

If you experience pain or discomfort in your feet and inside your ankles, chances are you may have flat feet. People with flat feet are uncomfortable walking or standing, their feet turn outwards at the ankle, and their posture is strained. You may feel intense pain throughout your feet, ankles, and lower leg muscles. Flat feet can also cause discomfort throughout your hips and lower back.

Take the wet test and find out now

Take the water test and find out if you have flat feet.

Pour a thin layer of water into a wide container.
Dip your foot into the container and wet your sole.
Step onto a piece of paper and stand on that leg.
Step off and analyze the wet footprint left behind.

If you notice about half of the arch region filled, this means you have a normal arch. However, if you notice the arch of your footprint is filled in, it’s most likely that you have a flat foot.
flat-feet-test-normal-high

Are there any serious concerns with flat feet? ?

If you fail to treat your flat feet, it can lead to more serious problems. If left untreated, you could begin to experience discomfort and strain in your lower body joints. You also run the risk of developing more serious conditions such as:

Heel spurs or severe heel pain when first standing or walking.
Misaligned joints, causing ankle and knee pain.
Inability to absorb shock, resulting in lower back and hip pain.
Arthritis, which can develop over time.

How do you treat and prevent flat feet?

You can wear comfortable and supportive shoes that are designed to completely support the arch and heel. If you add insoles to your shoes, you are providing extra support and comfort for the arch of your foot. There is also the option of investing in custom orthotics that helps distribute and minimize the pressure in your foot. If these methods of treatment are not helping, then surgery can be an option to lessen your pain.

What are the best shoes for flat feet?

The best shoe is the one that is fitted properly. At Lucky Feet Shoes, we have specialists that will help you get the correct fit. We also carry a wide variety of shoes and sandals for flat feet. Many of the shoes and sandals we carry have large tow boxes which limits tight fits. Tight fitted shoes can cause excessive amount of pressure on your feet which can lead to ulcers.

Which insoles will help support me best?

Lucky Feet Shoes carries a wide variety of arch supports for flat feet. The best arch support for flat feet will have good shock absorption and evenly distribute pressure across the foot. They will help relieve pain in the knees, feet, and hips.

Where to Buy Best Shoes for flat feet?

Come into any one of our stores, located in Anaheim Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Dimas, Temecula and La Quinta, today and try on a pair of shoes!
At Lucky Feet Shoes, we carry many specialty shoes for flat feet such as comfort shoes, sandals, and slippers. If you are looking for shoes for Osteoarthritis in Orange County, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Temecula or Riverside, we have six stores to serve you!