Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2017 | Page 37

Do you have flat feet?
By Chantell Peterson
A
re you one of 25% of Amer-
icans that have flat feet?
Having flat feet means that
you do not have an arch
in the bottom of your foot.
Sometimes this condition is also known
as “fallen arches” or “pronated” feet.
Flat feet or flat foot is actually the
most common foot deformity known.
For some people there are no signs
or symptoms associated with flat foot.
For others they may experience pain
or symptoms that can worsen with ac-
tivity. Some people may still be able
to run marathons with flat feet while
others will be limited in their daily ac-
tivities and over time, if this condition
goes untreated, problems can occur.
There are two main causes for flat
foot. The first cause is congenital flat
f oot, which is a condition that some-
one is born with or is predisposed to
at birth. A flat foot is normal in infants
and toddlers as most arches develop
throughout childhood. But some peo-
ple never develop an arch or begin
experiencing problems with their arch.
Over time, some arches fall. Years of
wear and tear on the feet can weaken
the tendon that runs along the inside of
the ankle and helps support the arch,
which causes the arch to fall.
The second cause is acquired flat foot,
which is a much rarer condition that
can develop over time and may be
caused by many factors throughout
life. There are also conditions that can
put one more at risk such as obesity,
injury to your foot or ankle, rheuma-
toid arthritis, aging and diabetes. Flat
foot can cause pain and limit daily
activities but it can also contribute to
problems with your ankles, knees and
even the alignment of your legs.
If your flat foot becomes painful or
bothersome, it is best to seek treatment
from a foot and ankle specialist early
on. The doctors at Southwest Foot and
Ankle Center are available to assist
you with the best treatment options
available to help you with your condi-
tion. Imaging tests can help determine
the treatment plan that is best suited
for your condition. Some people may
need custom inserts, stretching exercis-
es, physical therapy and/or support-
ive shoes to assist with their condition,
while others may need a more com-
plex treatment plan. If a tendon tear
or rupture is present, it is possible that
your condition may require surgery.
This is for the more extreme cases.
If you or someone you know has a
flat foot condition, please call our of-
fice today at 972-316-0902 for an
evaluation so we can help assist with
the problem. Our doctors are special-
ized to help with this condition among
many other foot and ankle conditions.
Call today for your evaluation!
Southwest Foot and Ankle Center has three convenient locations in Plano, Lewisville
and Irving and we are here to help you five days a week! So why wait?
Call us today at 972-316-0902 or visit www.swfacenter.com.
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2017
35