Head to Toe's podiatrist, Dr Danielle McNeil answers a reader's question about foot health.
Q: I recently visited a podiatrist because of foot pain. He told me that I had “flat feet”. He didn’t offer too much more information. What exactly does that mean? Is that a hereditary condition? I found that it is uncomfortable to wear heels. Is there anything I can do for it?
A: Dear Reader,
“Flat feet” is a generalized and often over used term. I apologize on behalf of the podiatry community for the lack of information and treatment options provided to you. First off, what does the doc mean by flat feet and how does this translate into the pain you are feeling. Flat feet (pes planus) is a term used for when the medial arch of your foot is lower than normal. A good way to tell if you have flat feet, besides stepping on the Dr. Scholl’s kiosk at your local pharmacy, is to step into the sand barefoot and look at your imprint, or your wet footprint on the floor. The picture is an example of normal low and high arched feet. Or simply stand barefoot if there is no or very little space between your foot and the floor at the medial side (midline of your body); then you have a flat foot. There are many reason or causes for flat feet. To answer your question yes there is a hereditary component, but it can be partially or completely environment as well. Some people have flat feet as a child, these people can usually look around the family and see the trait in other family members. That means the structure of your foot is positioned for you to have a lower arch. Some people have hereditary factors that contribute to developing flat feet later in life. Double jointedness or ligament laxity may add to your likelihood of developing flat feet. Some causes are completely environmental, injury to a bone or tendon that supports the arch, being overweight, or chronic poor shoe gear.
Q: I recently visited a podiatrist because of foot pain. He told me that I had “flat feet”. He didn’t offer too much more information. What exactly does that mean? Is that a hereditary condition? I found that it is uncomfortable to wear heels. Is there anything I can do for it?
A: Dear Reader,
“Flat feet” is a generalized and often over used term. I apologize on behalf of the podiatry community for the lack of information and treatment options provided to you. First off, what does the doc mean by flat feet and how does this translate into the pain you are feeling. Flat feet (pes planus) is a term used for when the medial arch of your foot is lower than normal. A good way to tell if you have flat feet, besides stepping on the Dr. Scholl’s kiosk at your local pharmacy, is to step into the sand barefoot and look at your imprint, or your wet footprint on the floor. The picture is an example of normal low and high arched feet. Or simply stand barefoot if there is no or very little space between your foot and the floor at the medial side (midline of your body); then you have a flat foot. There are many reason or causes for flat feet. To answer your question yes there is a hereditary component, but it can be partially or completely environment as well. Some people have flat feet as a child, these people can usually look around the family and see the trait in other family members. That means the structure of your foot is positioned for you to have a lower arch. Some people have hereditary factors that contribute to developing flat feet later in life. Double jointedness or ligament laxity may add to your likelihood of developing flat feet. Some causes are completely environmental, injury to a bone or tendon that supports the arch, being overweight, or chronic poor shoe gear.
Depending on the cause of your flat feet, and the flexibility of your foot there are many different ways your pain can be relieved. First are both of your feet the same arch height, is one flatter than the other? You should make sure that an injury has not caused this condition. A simple biomechanical exam and X-rays can rule this out. Next determine if your condition is flexible or more rigid (stiff). This important in designing the right treatment plan for you.
Flat feet shouldn’t completely prevent you from wearing heels. With that being said there is no magic to make 4 inch heels pleasant for everyone. It is possible to wear a reasonable heel for a few hours during events, dinners, parties, nights out. There is wide range of products out there that are specifically made for women and their dress shoes. Depending on the area of your pain and again cause ruling out injuries, an arch support for dress shoes may be just what you need. A slim design arch support may fit in your heels, if you have an upcoming event buy the arch supports and take them with you shopping a half size bigger or certain style to accommodate the insert and may be all you need. As always a platform decreases the actual heel height and is a great cheat to make heels more comfortable. If your condition goes beyond that there are many more advanced treatments that a podiatrist can offer.
Check out one of my blog about shoe selection for your foot type.
Check out one of my blog about shoe selection for your foot type.