Treating Flatfoot Without Surgery

You’ve been diagnosed with flatfoot, and you now have developed pain. Possibly, you notice ‘your arch has fallen’. You may need treatment for a symptomatic flatfoot. 

The surgeons at Southwest Orthopedic Group customize treatment to individual needs, goals, and the severity of the flatfoot. 

Treatments for flatfeet: Can my flatfoot be cured? 

Treatment depends on the stage of your flatfoot. With early-stage flatfoot, it is important to immobilize the posterior tibial tendon. This is often done in a walking boot or even a hard cast. Once the tendon has been rested, patients are transitioned to arch supports or orthotics. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can be used. 

Physical therapy to rehabilitate the tendon is important after the initial pain and inflammation has improved. 

Will orthotics, insoles, or braces help flatfeet?

For a flatfoot that is flexible, meaning that it has minimal arthritis, an insert can help the symptoms. Your surgeon can evaluate your deformity and discuss over-the-counter arch supports or custom orthotics.

Custom orthotics can be created for your feet. Your feet are molded and then an orthotist fabricates your very own inserts. In flatfeet, additional padding is placed in certain positions to help correct the alignment of your feet. 

For more severe deformities, an ankle foot orthosis, AFOs, can help support the ankle and foot. These braces are bigger and bulkier, but can help patients avoid surgery. 

Will exercises help flat feet?

Once you have immobilized your posterior tibial tendon, formal physical therapy can help flatfeet. A specific rehabilitation protocol is shared with the physical therapy team that focuses on a step wise recovery using range of motion, strength, and endurance. 

Can injections help posterior tibial tendonitis?

If you have posterior tibial tendonitis that is not improving, your surgeon may consider a steroid injection into your posterior tibial tendon. In general, multiple injections are not recommended too close together. Other types of injections, such as PRP, are available. However, there is not strong data that supports their use. 

Can flatfeet be corrected/cured?

There are many nonoperative treatments for symptomatic flatfeet. These treatments can control the symptoms associated with flatfeet, but they do not correct the deformity. If pain persists, there are multiple surgical options for symptomatic flatfeet. Dr. Stautberg customizes surgical treatments to each patient, based on their deformity, imaging, and goals. 

See our upcoming posts regarding surgical treatment for flatfeet, our general information post on flatfeet, and our post on diagnosing flatfoot.

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has more information about Achilles tendon tears at FootCareMD.

For more questions or to set up an evaluation, contact Dr. Stautberg’s office at 281-977-4870. 

Author

Eugene Stautberg, MD