Treatments for flat feet

Flat feet only need to be treated if you have an associated problem, such as pain, overpronation or an underlying healthcondition.

Non-surgical treatments are often recommended first, although surgery may be needed in some cases.

Non-surgical treatments

Your GP or podiatrist may recommend:

• wearing supportive shoes that fit well
• wearing specially madeinsoles (orthotics) inside your shoes to support your feet and stopthemrolling inwards
• taking painkillers if you have any discomfort
• losing weight if you're overweight
• stretching the muscles and connective tissuesin your lower legs to helpstopyour foot rolling over you may be referred to a physiotherapist , who can recommend some exercises to try

These treatments won't change the shape of thefeet, but may help relieve some of the problemsassociated withflat feet.

If these measures don't help, you may be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss whether surgery is an option.

Surgery

Surgery is normally only considered if the treatments above haven't helped or you have an underlyingproblem that can be corrected with an operation, such as abnormally developed bones in thefeet.

The surgical procedure recommended for you will depend on the cause of your flat feet.

For example, bones that are abnormally shaped or joined together may need to be straightened or separated, while flat feet caused by a problem with your connective tissues may be treated by lengthening or repairing the affected tissues.

Your surgeonwill talk to you about the operation you may need and what this involves.