Flat feet are quite common among Americans – one in four people experience this during their lifetime. The condition can be without any symptoms, but it can also cause plenty of trouble. So, what kind of symptoms to expect? Can flat feet cause knee pain, or will the pain just be localized to the area of your feet? You can find all the answers on this topic in our text, so be sure to keep reading.
How Do Flat Feet Affect Your Knees?
A flat foot is a medical condition where the arch of the foot is either quite low or non-existent. This leads to various problems – from pain to swelling in the ankle. Still, what most people don’t know is that flat feet can cause trouble with your knees as well. Why is this the case?
The musculoskeletal system is an integrated whole that consists of many components – one thing often affects the other. So, when you have a disbalance in the foot structure, it’s expected to see some changes in the knee as well. A flat arch causes the foot to roll inward – this is called overpronation. As a result of that, your ankles and knees are put under additional pressure, and that’s why you experience pain.
What Are the Treatments?
Treating knee pain caused by flat feet is done by addressing the problem at its root – fixing flat feet. The go-to solution is conservative treatment, which includes custom orthotics and physical therapy. Still, this doesn’t always work, and some patients have to undergo flat feet reconstructive surgery to get rid of the pain permanently.
What Happens When Feet Roll in More Than They Should?
So, your feet are rolling inward – this affects the ankles. However, the ankles are designed to handle various changes in balance since they can roll in many directions – but this isn’t the case with your knees. They can bend forward and backward, but the overpronation forces them to move inward. Knee problems affect the hips – they need to compensate for the poor knee functionality, which in turn affects them as well. Next up, the pain spreads to your lower back – and all this is caused just by flat feet!
Should You Treat Flat Feet Surgically?
Although surgery isn’t the first choice for flat feet treatment, in some cases, it’s necessary. When non-surgical methods don’t bring results, and you’re still in pain, there is no other choice but to address the problem surgically. Still, we must mention that there are some conditions for undergoing this surgery – you have to be in good overall health, with no serious medical issues,
You have to be an adult. Children can’t get this procedure because they are still growing – this means there’s a possibility that flat feet can be corrected with conservative treatment. Additionally, you can’t have this surgery strictly for aesthetic reasons – there has to be a medical reason for it.
Can Flat Feet Cause Knee Pain – Ask Your Surgeon About the Expert Opinion
Although knee pain can often be caused by flat feet, it doesn’t always have to be the case – there are many other conditions that can be behind your knee pain. This means that your doctor will have to do a detailed evaluation to rule out any other problems. Having an experienced and skilled doctor treating you is essential – you can reach out to our Luxe Foot Surgery clinic to get a free consultation with one of our excellent doctors. Contact us to book your appointment by calling our office or filling out an inquiry form on our website.
FAQ
How Do You Get Rid of Knee Pain With Flat Feet?
If your knee pain is caused by flat feet, the obvious solution is to address the root of the problem – fix flat feet. This can be done with non-surgical and surgical methods. Every doctor will recommend non-surgical treatment first – this includes custom orthotics and physical therapy. If this fails to bring results and the pain persists, you will most likely have to undergo flat feet reconstruction surgery.
Can Flat Feet Cause Arthritis in the Knee?
According to current research, there is a high possibility that flat feet can cause arthritis in the knee. It’s the so-called “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis, where the cartilage in the knee joint is damaged.
