HELP - How Should I Treat My Flat Feet??

Hi,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read/respond. I have flat feet and I am looking for some advice as to how to address it the issue.

From what I have read online, I think I have a forefoot and rearfoot varus (with a larger angle in the forefoot). When I place my feet in the neutral position, the balls of my feet are off the ground. But, if I flex my foot (i.e., point my toes upwards) I am able to stand in the neutral positon (with an arch) and with weight on my heels and the balls of my feet.

I saw a podiatrist and was told that my lower legs are bow-ed, and as a result, when standing, the planes of my feet are not parallel to the ground (the medial side is raised). He prescribed a 3/4 length custom orthotic, which simply raised the arch of my foot to reduce pronation. No support is provided under the balls of my feet, so when standing, they are elevated, and my weight is carried by my arch.

During normal walking, the orthotic is adequate, but when playing basketball with a lot of movements on the balls of my feet, I can feel my knees turning inwards to compensate.

Are there any others solutions that may be better than the 3/4 length orthotic? What about a forefoot wedge?

Thanks again.

SC
Male; Age 30; Canada

[FootDoc]

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS-ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
************************************************** *********
I would assume that if your impression of your diagnosis is correct that a properly made orthotic would already have been posted to accommodate both the forefoot and rearfoot varus. It is unreasonable to expect that a foot orthotic would be able to compensate for a structural deformity of the legs, especially when running as is necessary in playing basketball rather than walking, as the biomechanics of walking and running are not the same. If the orthotics are adequate for walking, in my opinion, that would generally be thought of as a successful treatment. It would be unwise to act upon any recommendation for additional modifications offered without benefit of an examination.

I never had any issues with walking without orthotics. My reason for getting orthotics in the first place was more for sports. I'd started noticing discomfort in my knees after playing and I believe that this discomfort occurrs because my knees turn inwards when I move on my toes, run, jump and pivot.

(Part of my dissatisfaction with my current orthotics stems from the fact that my podiatrist condescendingly dismissed my concerns regarding their use in sports, and which have now been realized)

From my own self-examination, I think that the issue could be mitigated by adding some form of wedge to bridge the space between the balls of my feet and my shoe. This should allow me to go up on my toes without causing my knees to move inwards. The walking motion shouldn't be affected as long as the heel remains as high or higher than the balls of the feet.

I'm just not sure if there are any potential drawbacks...Any thoughts?

Do you know of any orthotics that also provide support under then balls of the feet? I have been unable to find anything online. I've seen forefoot wedges advertised but discussions on podiatry-arena.com forums seem to argue against their use.

(Part of my dissatisfaction with my current orthotics stems from the fact that my podiatrist dismissed my concerns regarding their use in sports)

Thanks for you input.

[FootDoc]

If your foot structure were as out of whack as you have alleged, I would certainly expect that you would have been having problems with normal ambulation. The fact that you deny this makes me have serious doubts about the medical accuracy of your description. Once again, I must state that in order to offer an opinion worth anything, one would have to have examined you.

i have extremely flat feet and i am 17 / f ... i really dont know what to do... it hurts so badly and i have not seen a doctor bcos my mum lost her insurance when she resigned from her job ... i know that the only solution to my flat feet is surgery and i am so scared of whether or not it would be a success. i also would like to know the estimate of how much a surgery like that would cost ... i wished i was born with normal arched foot like my mum but instead i took those of my dad ... i cant wear shorts or pretty shoes ... and it makes me so sad ...

do u have any advice ....

[FootDoc]

Out of ethical and legal considerations, I do not offer medical advice directly to minors. As you employ the term "mum" I would suspect that you are from the U.K. and if this is so why are you not covered by national insurance?