What causes flat feet?

Flat feet can be congenital (you're born with them), or develop over time due to weakened arch muscles, tendon damage, overpronation, arthritis, or injury. Age, weight, and pregnancy can contribute to arch collapse. Some people with flat feet have no symptoms, while others have significant pain.

Do flat feet need to be treated?

Not all flat feet require treatment. If you have no pain or functional limitations, treatment may not be necessary. However, if flat feet cause pain, fatigue, or contribute to other conditions, treatment options include proper footwear, arch support, stretching, strengthening exercises, and custom orthotics.

What's the best arch support for flat feet?

Options range from over-the-counter insoles and orthofeet-style shoes to custom orthotics. Most people benefit from a combination of supportive shoes and orthotics. The best choice depends on your specific needs, biomechanics, and budget. Many people benefit from trying different options to find what works.

Can you fix flat feet with exercises?

Strengthening exercises can help manage flat feet and slow progression, particularly if combined with proper footwear. Key exercises include arch strengthening, calf stretches, toe scrunches with a towel, and balance exercises. Exercises work best when combined with proper support and footwear.

I’m at a loss .. I have seen a neuro muscular specialist and

From Bunion Surgery / Foot Surgery Support

I’m at a loss .. I have seen a neuro muscular specialist and an ortho podiatrist who specializes in foot deformities . None seem concerned and the ortho said my toe seems extra mobile but My bunion is insignificant. My X-rays showed nothing . Except Flat feet which I’ve always had but recently this all started happening . After a flu .. with weird neuro symptoms I developed what seems like neuropathy ( clean emg 3 mo in ) numbness , cold pricking under toes .. on and off .. have to wear shoes and socks ( never did I ever and did lots of yoga barefoot all day ) My feet seem way flatter and bonier and the space between my toes is all new !!! It gets worse as time Goes on first it was the right foot ( the big toe also drifted to the second in a matter of a month then ) they all seem to be super bendy and the joints looking strange … the spread out when I go on toes or Foot to Maintain my balance .. I’m so worried something is terribly Wrong !im only 45 most wth these symptoms seem to be 70 or older . I may have Eds or heds I am hyper mobile . I see rhematology in February. But I also Get pains in my toe joints . A bit it was in my fingers too See comments for What my feet Looked like Before .. also I did start to go into Perimenopause when this all happened .. could that do this !? See less

Comments (2)

I developed numbness and tingling in my feet in 2016. Dr's kept attributing it to my bad back. Emg's were clear. Misdiagnosed for 3 years. I have MS

Community member

Definitely try HRT if u haven’t already…so many issues with declining hormones:( HRT fixes frozen shoulder and hip pain and mire…all resulting from decreasing hormones.

Community member