Chestnut Hill Podiatry Associates helps patients with all kinds of foot ailments including flat feet. If you have heel pain in Philadelphia or Huntingdon Valley, PA, flat feet could be contributing to your pain. Keep reading about flat feet, and come see our skilled team of podiatrists for treatment if you are in pain!

Flat feet

Having flat feet means the arch is collapsed and the whole sole of your foot touches the ground when you stand. This can happen to one or both feet. Flat feet are normal in childhood before the arch fully develops, but when you develop flat feet as an adult it means the arch has collapsed. Some people have flat feet and don't experience pain, but flat feet could be contributing to your heel pain in Philadelphia and Huntingdon Valley, PA.

Treating heel pain

If you have flat feet you could be prone to heel pain or plantar fasciitis. Your plantar fascia is a thick band of muscle that runs along the sole of the foot. When your feet are flat there is excessive strain on the plantar fascia and this can cause pain in the heels, legs, and back.

Footwear will be very important if flat feet are causing you pain. Your doctor will recommend shoes that fully support the arch and give your toes room to wiggle, with foot orthotics for flat feet. Foot orthotics are worn in the shoes to support the arch and help realign the bones in your foot and ankle as you walk.

Depending on your case, your doctor may recommend a walking boot to immobilize the foot and let the tendon heal. Once you heal, a physical therapy regimen to stretch and strengthen the foot muscles helps you avoid more heel pain. Surgery is typically only recommended when more conservative measures haven't relieved pain. Talk to your doctor about your options if other methods haven't helped.

At Chestnut Hill Podiatry Associates, our dedicated team of podiatrists is here to help when you have heel pain in Philadelphia or Huntingdon Valley, PA. Contact us for an appointment at our Germantown Ave location at (215) 247-0879, or our Huntingdon Valley location at (215) 379-5112.