Some people have had flat feet their whole life and never think twice about it. Others develop them later, and suddenly shoes that used to fit fine feel wrong, walks that used to be easy leave their arches and ankles aching, and they’re not sure why.
Flat feet aren’t automatically a problem. But when they start causing pain, or when they show up later in life instead of childhood, it’s worth understanding what’s actually going on.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flat feet, also called fallen arches, happen when the arch on the inside of the foot flattens out, so the sole makes more contact with the ground than it normally would. Everyone’s arch height varies naturally, but a true flat foot has little to no visible arch when standing.
There are two broad categories. Flexible flat feet, where an arch appears when you’re not bearing weight but disappears when you stand, are extremely common and usually present from childhood. Rigid flat feet, where there’s no arch regardless of weight bearing, are less common and more likely to be associated with an underlying structural or tendon issue.
Why Flat Feet Cause Problems
A healthy arch acts as a shock absorber and helps distribute weight evenly across the foot with each step. When the arch collapses, that job falls to other structures that weren’t built for it: the plantar fascia, the posterior tibial tendon, and the joints of the foot and ankle.
Over time, this altered mechanics can lead to a cascade of downstream issues, including heel pain, arch pain, shin splints, and even knee or hip discomfort from the way flat feet change alignment up the leg.
Childhood Flat Feet vs. Adult-Acquired Flat Feet
Flexible flat feet in children are usually a normal part of development and often improve as the arch matures through the growing years. Most children with flat feet don’t need treatment unless they’re experiencing pain or the flat foot appears rigid rather than flexible.
Adult-acquired flat feet are a different story. If your arches were normal for years and have flattened more recently, especially if it’s happening on one side more than the other, that’s a signal worth having evaluated rather than dismissed as just getting older.
The most common cause of adult-acquired flat feet is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, where the tendon that supports the arch gradually weakens and stretches. As the tendon loses function, the arch collapses further, and left untreated, this can progress to a rigid, arthritic deformity.
When to See a Podiatrist
Not every flat foot needs treatment. See a specialist if:
- You’re experiencing arch, heel, or ankle pain that doesn’t resolve with rest
- Your arches have flattened noticeably as an adult, especially on one side
- You notice swelling along the inside of the ankle
- Standard shoes no longer feel supportive no matter what you try
- Your child’s flat feet are causing pain or seem rigid rather than flexible
How We Treat Flat Feet
Treatment starts with a biomechanical evaluation to understand exactly how your foot is functioning and what’s driving the symptoms. For most patients, this leads to a conservative plan built around custom orthotics designed to support the arch and correct the underlying mechanics, along with targeted stretching and strengthening for the supporting tendons.
For adult-acquired flat feet caught early, bracing and orthotics can often prevent the progressive collapse that leads to more serious deformity down the road. In more advanced cases, or when conservative treatment isn’t enough, surgical reconstruction may be an option. You can read more about our full approach on our flat feet treatment page.
Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse
Flat feet that are causing pain, or arches that are changing as an adult, are worth a proper evaluation. The earlier the underlying cause is identified, the more treatment options are on the table.
We see patients throughout Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop, and Stockton, with Saturday appointments available. Schedule your evaluation today.