Treatment:

Flexible flat feet that are painless do not require treatment. If you have pain due to flexible flat feet, an orthotic (arch supporting insert in the shoe) can bring relief. With the increased interest in running, many shoe stores carry shoes for normal feet and pronated feet. The shoes designed for pronated feet make long distance running easier and less tiring because they correct for the abnormality.

Rigid or painful flat feet require evaluation by a health care provider. The treatment depends on the cause of the flat feet. For tarsal coalition, treatment starts with rest and possibly a cast. If this fails to improve the pain, surgery may be necessary.

For problems with the posterior tibial tendon, treatment may start with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and shoe inserts or ankle braces.

In more advanced cases, surgery may be needed to clean or repair the tendon, or fuse some of the joints of the foot into a corrected position.

Flat feet in older adults can be treated with pain relievers, orthotics, and sometimes surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases of flat feet are painless and do not cause any problems. The outlook for painful flat feet depends on the cause of the condition. Usually treatment is successful, regardless of the cause. Some causes of flat feet can be successfully treated without surgery if caught early, but occasionally, surgery is the last option to relieve pain.

People with fusions will have some loss of ankle motion, especially when turning the foot inward and outward. Otherwise, these patients report tremendous improvement in pain and function.

Complications:

Flat feet are not really associated with any complications except pain.

Although surgery is usually successful, it sometimes does not result in satisfactory results. Some patients have persistent pain. Other possible surgical complications include infection and failure of the fused bones to heal.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you experience persistent pain in your feet or your child complains of foot pain or lower leg pain.