When you have flat feet, your symptoms may be mild, but many patients experience pain, muscle spasms, and difficulty walking. You can get relief from flat feet at New York Foot Experts: Daniel Drapacz, DPM, where Dr. Drapacz can determine the cause and severity of your problem, then work with you to develop a customized treatment plan. If you have questions about flat feet, call one of his New York offices, conveniently located in Chelsea, Midtown Manhattan, Harlem, the Upper East Side, and the Financial District.
Flatfoot refers to several different conditions that all share one problem — a partial or complete collapse of the foot’s arch. It’s important to have properly formed arches, because they help support your body weight, absorb shock, and create a space for blood vessels, nerves, and muscles.
The primary types of flatfoot include:
Infants and children naturally have flat feet because it takes time for their bones to mature and develop strong arches. Flatfoot should disappear by age six, but one or two out of every 10 children continue to have flat feet as they grow up. They may also develop problems that cause pediatric flatfoot, such as a tight Achilles tendon or a problem with their bones or the tendon that supports the arch.
Some children are born with conditions that cause flatfoot, such as lax ligaments that allow the arch to flatten, or a condition called tarsal coalition in which the foot is fixed in a flat position because bones are fused together.
This type of flatfoot is a painful condition that develops gradually as structural changes occur and the arches collapse. It may be caused by:
In about 60% of patients with PTT dysfunction, taking steroids or chronic diseases such as diabetes contribute to flatfoot.
Dr. Drapacz uses X-rays to examine the shape and alignment of the bones in your feet and ankles. An MRI may be performed to view soft tissues, such as the posterior tibial tendon. After determining the severity of your flatfoot, Dr. Drapacz recommends an individualized treatment plan, which may include:
Several treatments are available to relieve your pain and help restore function, including:
Surgery is the last option if conservative treatment doesn’t provide relief. Procedures may involve tendon repair, removal of inflamed tissues, removing parts of the bone, or a bone fusion, depending on the type of flatfoot.
Same day, Saturday, and evening appointments are available at New York Foot Experts, so call or book an appointment online for help with flat feet.
"I went to see Dr. Drapacz for a corn on my big toe and was treated fast and they made me feel like my condition really mattered."
"I went to see Dr. Drapacz for a corn on my big toe and was treated fast and they made me feel like my condition really mattered."
"The staff is friendly and accommodating. Dr. Fanno is very knowledgable and explained thoroughly my condition, and the treatment plan. Very happy I found this practice."
