“Can flat feet be fixed without surgery?”
I am a 32 year old female. I want to know if flat feet can be fixed without surgery?
7 Answers
The prognosis is dependent on the extent to which the feet are flat. Physical Therapy intervention can help address flat foot symptoms without requiring surgery. Surgery is only required in severe symptomatic cases or if PT intervention is unsuccessful in addressing the patient's needs.
No surgery never indicated
Flat feet often can be treated with orthotics.
Flat feet do not need to be treated if they are not causing any symptoms. If you are experiencing pain sometimes, arch supports can be helpful. There is no way to correct flat feet without surgery. Just remember, surgery is rarely indicated to treat flat feet.
Most people who have flat feet have no pain or symptoms. Therefore, no treatment is required. However, if you have pain on the inner part of your ankles as a result of the flat feet, treatment starts as immobilization, anti-inflammatory medication, injections, and shoe inserts or orthotics can all be tried before any surgery would be performed. However, if the patient
is still symptomatic despite non-surgical means, then surgery would be the last option available.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
is still symptomatic despite non-surgical means, then surgery would be the last option available.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
It depends on the etiology and whether it’s flexible or rigid. A flexible flatfoot can often be corrected with the right orthotic, while strengthening your posterior tibialis tendon properly if it’s weak can also be helpful. In general, non-surgical treatments should be considered first if possible.
Ron Noy, MD, FAAOS
Ron Noy, MD, FAAOS
Flat feet can be supported by shoe inserts called orthotics, but actual transformation of the foot's anatomy does require surgery. The type of surgery is determined by the amount of deformity and the cause.
Good luck,
Dr. L
Good luck,
Dr. L
