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Athens Podiatry Group

(734) 479-8383

Flat Rock Office

(734) 782-5800

Athens Podiatry Group

19723 Allen Rd

Brownstown Twp, MI 48183-1021 US

(734) 479-8383

(734) 479-8382

[email protected]

Monday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

every other Saturday

Sunday:

Closed

Flat Rock Office

14835 Telegraph Rd

Flat Rock, MI 48134 U.S.A.

(734) 782-5800

(734) 782-5011

Monday:

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Our Locations
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  • Welcome! >
  • Articles >
  • Bone/Joint/Tendon >
  • Flatfoot >
  • Flatfoot-Flexible

What Is Flatfoot?
PTTD2Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch.

 

Other characteristics shared by most types of flatfoot include:

  • “Toe drift,” in which the toes and front part of the foot point outward
  • The heel tilts toward the outside and the ankle appears to turn in
  • A tight Achilles tendon, which causes the heel to lift off the ground earlier when walking and may make the problem worse
  • Bunions and hammertoes may develop as a result of a flatfoot.

Flexible Flatfoot
flatfoot3Flexible flatfoot is one of the most common types of flatfoot. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence and continues into adulthood. It usually occurs in both feet and progresses in severity throughout the adult years. As the deformity worsens, the soft tissues (tendons and ligaments) of the arch may stretch or tear and can become inflamed.

The term “flexible” means that while the foot is flat when standing (weight-bearing), the arch returns when not standing.

SymptomsFlatfoot
Symptoms, which may occur in some persons with flexible flatfoot, include:

  • Pain in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot
  • “Rolled-in” ankle (over-pronation)
  • Pain along the shin bone (shin splint)
  • General aching or fatigue in the foot or leg
  • Low back, hip or knee pain.

Diagnosis
In diagnosing flatfoot, the foot and ankle surgeon examines the foot and observes how it looks when you stand and sit. X-rays are usually taken to determine the severity of the disorder. If you are diagnosed with flexible flatfoot but you don’t have any symptoms, your surgeon will explain what you might expect in the future.

Non-surgical Treatment
If you experience symptoms with flexible flatfoot, the surgeon may recommend non-surgical treatment options, including:

  • Activity modifications. Cut down on activities that bring you pain and avoid prolonged walking and standing to give your arches a rest.
  • Weight loss. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Putting too much weight on your arches may aggravate your symptoms.
  • Orthotic devices. Your foot and ankle surgeon can provide you with custom orthotic devices for your shoes to give more support to the arches.
  • Immobilization. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a walking cast or to completely avoid weight-bearing.
  • Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may be used to provide temporary relief.
  • Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that support the arches is important for anyone who has flatfoot.

When is Surgery Necessary?
In some patients whose pain is not adequately relieved by other treatments, surgery may be considered. A variety of surgical techniques is available to correct flexible flatfoot, and one or a combination of procedures may be required to relieve the symptoms and improve foot function.

In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, the foot and ankle surgeon will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

  • Flexible Flatfoot

    What Is Flatfoot? Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch.   Other characteristics shared by most

    Read more
  • 1
  • Bone/Joint/Tendon
    • Accessory Navicular Syndrome
    • Achilles Tendon Rupture
    • Ankle
      • Ankle Arthritis
      • Ankle Fractures
      • Ankle Pain
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Swollen Ankles
      • Tarsal Coalition
      • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Weak Ankles
    • Arch Pain
    • Arch Supports
    • Bone Healing
    • Bone Infection
    • Bone Tumors in the Foot
    • Brachymetatarsia
    • Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)
    • Bursitis
    • Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease)
    • Calf Pain
    • Capsulitis of the Second Toe
    • Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
    • Charcot Foot
    • Chronic Ankle Instability
    • Clubfoot
    • Cold Feet
    • Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon
    • Drop Foot
    • DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
    • Extra Bones
    • Fallen Arches
    • Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
    • Flatfoot
      • Flatfoot-Adult Acquired
      • Flatfoot-Flexible
      • Flatfoot-Pediatric
    • Foot Arthritis
    • Foot Drop
    • Fracture
      • Foot Fracture
      • Fracture-Ankle
      • Fracture-Foot
      • Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
      • Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal
      • Fracture-Toe
      • Jones Fracture
      • Stress Fracture in the Foot
      • Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes)
    • Gangrene
    • Gout
    • Haglund's Deformity
    • Hallux Rigidus
    • Hammertoes
    • Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
    • High-Arched Foot
    • Intermetatarsal Neuroma
    • Intoeing
    • Joint Pain in the Foot
    • Joint Swelling in the Foot
    • Lisfranc Injuries
    • Os Trigonum Syndrome
    • Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
    • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
    • Osteopenia
    • Osteoporosis
    • Peroneal Tendon Injuries
    • Pigeon-toes
    • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
    • R.I.C.E Protocol
    • Restless Legs
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
    • Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot
    • Shin Splints
    • Swollen Feet
    • Synovitis
    • Tailor's Bunion
    • Talar Dome Lesion
    • Tingly Feet
    • Tired Feet
    • Toe Walking
    • Turf Toe
    • Varicose Veins
    • Webbed Toes
  • Nails and Skin
    • Athlete's Foot
    • Black Toenails
    • Callus
    • Contact Dermatitis
    • Corns
    • Cracked Heels
    • Dermatitis
    • Dry Heels
    • Eczema of the Foot
    • Foot Bumps
    • Foot Lumps
    • Foot Odor
    • Foot Rash
    • Frostbite
    • Fungal Nails
    • Ganglion Cyst
    • Heel Fissures
    • Inflammation: Acute
    • Ingrown Toenails
    • Malignant Melanoma of the Foot
    • Plantar Fibroma
    • Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris)
    • Pump Bump (Hallux Rigidus)
    • Puncture Wounds
    • Rash
    • Raynauds Phenomenon
    • Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
    • Smelly Feet
    • Sweaty Feet
    • Thick Toenails
    • Warts
    • White Toenails
    • Wounds/Ulcers
    • Wounds-Puncture
    • Yellow Toenails
  • Diabetic Health
    • Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
    • Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
    • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
    • Diabetic Shoes
    • MRSA Infection of the Foot
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
    • Soft Tissue Biopsy
  • Fitness and Your Feet
    • Baseball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Basketball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Field Hockey Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Football Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Golf Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Lacrosse Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Rugby Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Running and Track Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Softball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Tennis Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
    • Volleyball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Orthotics and Footwear
    • Custom Orthotic Devices
    • Orthotics
    • Shoe Inserts
  • Compartment Syndrome
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Equinus
  • Instructions for Using Crutches
  • Staph Infections of the Foot

Our Locations

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Athens Podiatry Group

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

every other Saturday

Sunday:

Closed

Flat Rock Office

Monday:

9:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

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