Treatment for Flat Feet in St. Joseph, Kansas City, Parkville & Platte City, MO
Having flat feet don't sound like anything major until you experience all the pain that may accompany them. Sometimes, the pain extends beyond the foot. Help is available from Dr. Russell Grimes, Dr. Ross Bartley, and Dr. Tyler Sten of Pivotal Foot & Ankle Surgeons, serving St Joseph, MO, Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City, and the nearby regions.
Why Flat Feet Happen
Some people are born with flat feet. Sometimes, they're born with flat feet and won't ever develop arches due to a defect or disorder, such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. Other times, people have normal arches in their feet that fall. For instance, if you don't wear shoes that support your feet adequately, it's possible you'll lose your arch. Arthritis and injuries, to name a few, could cause you to lose your arches.
Diagnosing Flat Feet
When you come into our podiatry practice, serving St Joseph, MO, Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City, and the surrounding areas, a physician from our practice will take a look at your feet. Your doctor may want to see how your foot moves and assess your gait. Most often, we won't perform any imaging unless we need to evaluate the cause of your flat feet, and your medical history doesn't give us enough information.
Treatment for Flat Feet
Most people don't experience negative symptoms related to flat feet, but if you do, we can either prevent the problem from causing issues or treat any ones you have. The approach we take will be based on the severity of your condition. For instance, if you have a mild case, you can wear orthotic shoes. Your podiatrist may recommend physical therapy or stretches to assist. Your doctor will recommend you wear supportive shoes. If you're unsure of what to look for, a podiatrist here can educate you on how to select a pair for you.
If conservative measures aren't enough, and you're experiencing pain or are unable to do all the activities you enjoy because of flat feet, a physician from our practice may recommend surgery. During a surgical procedure, a surgeon may shorten or lengthen the tissue in your feet. Sometimes, the surgery may replace a damaged tendon to provide better support. Another option is to reposition the heel bone, which can help with alignment. We should note that these are merely some examples of surgeries for flat feet.
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