What causes flat feet?
Flat feet can develop for a variety of reasons, either from birth or over time as the supporting structures of the foot change. Understanding the cause helps guide appropriate management and treatment.
Common causes of flat feet include:
- Congenital flat feet, where the arch does not fully develop from childhood
- Ligament laxity, causing the arch to collapse under body weight
- Tendon dysfunction, particularly of the posterior tibial tendon
- Injury or trauma affecting foot structure or stability
- Age-related changes, including weakening of supportive tissues
- Adult acquired flat feet, which develop later in life due to overuse or degeneration
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
Flat feet can lead to a range of symptoms due to reduced support and altered foot mechanics. Symptoms may become more noticeable with prolonged standing, walking, or physical activity.
Common symptoms of flat feet include:
- Foot fatigue or aching, especially after activity
- Heel and arch pain
- Ankle pain or instability
- Knee, hip or lower back discomfort
- Difficulty standing or walking for long periods
Which foot and lower limb conditions are commonly associated with flat feet?
Flat feet can increase the risk of certain foot and lower limb conditions due to ongoing strain on muscles, tendons, and joints.
Commonly associated conditions include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Shin splints
- Knee pain or joint strain
Early assessment helps identify these issues and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
How are flat feet diagnosed?
At Atlas Podiatry, flat feet are diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical assessment by our podiatrist. This includes examining foot structure, joint movement and areas of pressure, as well as assessing how the feet function during standing and walking.
Assessment may include:
- Gait analysis to observe walking patterns and foot motion
- Foot posture evaluation to assess arch height and alignment
- Recommendations for imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound, where structural changes or tendon involvement are suspected
Accurate diagnosis helps determine whether flat feet are contributing to symptoms and guides appropriate management.
When should flat feet be assessed by a podiatrist?
Flat feet should be assessed when they begin to cause discomfort or affect daily activities. Early assessment can help prevent progression and reduce the risk for complications.
Assessment is recommended if you experience:
- Persistent foot, ankle or leg pain
- Worsening foot posture or deformity
- Reduced mobility or endurance
- Difficulty with work, exercise or daily activities
Timely podiatric care helps manage symptoms and supports long-term foot and lower limb health.
How do flat feet affect gait and lower limb alignment?
Flat feet commonly lead to over-pronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively during walking. This causes the arch to collapse under body weight and reduces the foot’s ability to stabilise and absorb shock.
As a result, alignment through the lower limbs can be altered, increasing stress on the ankles, knees, hips and overall posture. Over time, these changes may contribute to joint strain, muscle fatigue and discomfort during prolonged standing or walking.
What treatment options are available for flat feet?
Podiatric treatment for flat feet focuses on managing symptoms, improving foot function and reducing strain on the lower limbs. It aims to support the arch, improve alignment and enhance comfort during daily activities, particularly for individuals experiencing pain or reduced mobility.
How can podiatric treatment help manage flat feet?
At Atlas Podiatry, flat feet management is tailored to how your feet function and how symptoms affect your daily life. Treatment focuses on improving support, stability and long-term foot health.
Podiatric treatment may include:
- Custom orthotics (insoles) to support the arch and improve foot alignment
- Footwear assessment and recommendations to enhance stability and cushioning
- Offloading and load control to reduce strain on muscles and joints
- Stability and motion control to manage excessive foot movement
- Injury prevention strategies to reduce the risk of overuse injuries
By addressing the mechanical demands placed on the feet, podiatric care helps relieve discomfort, improve movement efficiency and support confident daily activity.
Can custom orthotics help with flat feet?
Yes, custom orthotics are commonly used to help manage flat feet by providing targeted arch support and improving foot alignment during standing and walking. By supporting the arch, orthotics help reduce excessive inward rolling of the foot and improve how forces are distributed across the lower limbs.
This improved alignment can reduce strain on joints, muscles and tendons, including the ankles, knees and hips. Over time, custom orthotics can help relieve pain, improve stability, and support more efficient movement.
What role does footwear play in flat feet?
Footwear plays an important role in managing flat feet by providing additional support where the arch is lacking. Shoes with good arch support, stable midsoles and firm heel control help improve foot stability and reduce excessive motion.
Unsupportive or overly flexible footwear, such as flat slippers or worn-out shoes, may worsen symptoms by increasing strain on the feet and lower limbs. Choosing appropriate footwear helps improve comfort and protect long-term foot health.
Can flat feet be prevented or corrected?
The flat foot structure cannot always be prevented or corrected conservatively. However, the symptoms and complications associated with flat feet can be effectively managed.
With early assessment, appropriate footwear, custom orthotics and ongoing support, it is possible to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term issues related to flat feet.
Summary
Flat feet, or pes planus, can affect how the feet absorb shock and support the body during everyday activities, often leading to pain, fatigue and strain in the feet and lower limbs. Without adequate support, flat feet may contribute to joint stress and a higher risk of overuse injuries.
A thorough podiatric assessment helps determine how foot posture and gait are contributing to symptoms and guides effective, conservative management. At Atlas Podiatry, treatment focuses on improving arch support, alignment and stability through custom orthotics, footwear advice and injury prevention strategies tailored to individual needs.
If flat feet are causing you discomfort or affecting your mobility, schedule a consultation with Atlas Podiatry for a comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment plan to support long-term foot health and confident movement.