We rarely give much thought to our feet—until something goes wrong. Whether it’s aching heels, sore arches, or an unexpected injury, it doesn’t take long to realize just how crucial our feet are to every step we take. These hardworking structures support our entire body, absorb impact, and keep us moving, yet they often don’t get the care and attention they deserve.
In this article, Dr. Zachary Lind, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine with Stoughton Health, discusses common issues that arise and steps to keep your feet strong, comfortable, and ready for whatever the day brings.
Flat Feet vs. High Arches: Two Common Foot Issues
A flat foot condition occurs when the arch of the foot collapses, lacking the support found in a normal foot. This often leads to tendon-related issues. In contrast, a high arch creates different problems, as the excessive arch height can cause bony prominences and related discomfort.
Symptoms of each vary. “Flat feet manifests as pain along the inside, due to a tendon called the posterior tibialis that gets inflamed,” explains Dr. Lind. “Both conditions can create limitations or excess motion in joints, which can then cause joint pain, based on how the forces go through your foot when you’re walking or running. The end stage of both is a tilting of the ankle within the joint. That can cause significant pain, arthritis, and limitations in activities. Flat feet can also cause bunions.”
Flat feet and high arches can be congenital, meaning a person can be born with them. Flat feet often develop due to injuries or ligament issues, such as in conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, where ligaments lack structural support. High arches, on the other hand, can be associated with neurological conditions that lead to muscle tone loss in the legs, causing the arch to develop over time.
Treatment Options: From Conservative to Surgical
For flexible flat feet, over-the-counter orthotics can often provide sufficient support. If the condition is more severe, custom orthotics or a more structured brace, like a UCBL orthotic, may be needed. In longstanding cases with arthritis, an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) can offer additional stability. Physical therapy, especially in early stages or for children, can help strengthen muscles to improve foot function.
If indicated, surgery is a major reconstructive procedure that may involve bone cuts, fusions, and adjustments to tendons and ligaments. Recovery typically requires about six to eight weeks of non-weight-bearing, followed by a gradual transition to weight-bearing between weeks eight and twelve, depending on progress. Physical therapy follows to restore strength and mobility.
“If you’re talking a major reconstructive flat foot, or a cavus foot would be the high-arch component of it, you’re looking at about six months of true rehab towards getting back to feeling ‘normal,’” notes Dr. Lind.
The good news is, there are options for addressing any issues that accompany both flat feet and high arches.
