Flat Feet Treatment in New Canaan, CT
What Causes Flat Feet, and When Does It Need Treatment?
Flat feet happen when the arch collapses enough that the entire sole touches the ground, and it affects millions of people, many without any pain at all. Dr. Jennifer Tauber, DPM, evaluates and treats flat feet at New Canaan Podiatry for patients of every age, from toddlers whose arches haven’t developed yet to adults dealing with pain, fatigue, or gait changes.
Call (203) 548-7688 or book online to get evaluated.
Why Arches Collapse
Flat feet can be something you’re born with, or something that develops later for a few different reasons:
- Genetics, some people simply inherit a naturally low or absent arch
- Age and excess weight, both of which can wear down the posterior tibial tendon that supports the arch
- Pregnancy, when hormonal changes loosen ligaments enough to let the arch flatten
- Injury, particularly a torn or stretched posterior tibial tendon, which leads to what's called adult-acquired flat foot
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which can inflame and erode the joint structures holding the arch up
It’s completely normal for infants and toddlers to have flat feet, arches typically develop through early childhood. If your child’s arches still haven’t formed by age 3 to 5, that’s the point where an evaluation makes sense.
How We Approach Treatment
Dr. Tauber examines your feet, watches how you walk, and may order imaging to pin down both the severity and underlying cause of your flat feet. From there, treatment is built around your specific symptoms:
Custom orthotics to support the arch and correct alignment
Supportive footwear with proper arch support and motion control
Stretching and physical therapy to strengthen the posterior tibial tendon and calf muscles
Anti-inflammatory medication for pain and swelling
Bracing or ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) for more significant collapse
Surgery, reserved for severe cases involving a torn or ruptured tendon, to reconstruct the arch structure
For kids, custom orthotics are often used to support healthy arch development as they grow, and catching it early can head off progression and complications down the road.
Living With Flat Feet
Flat feet aren’t always a problem. Plenty of people go through life with a low or absent arch and never notice it. For others, though, it becomes the root of foot pain, fatigue, and knock-on issues in the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back as the body compensates for the altered mechanics. The difference usually comes down to symptoms, if your feet aren’t bothering you, there’s often nothing to fix. If they are, that’s when it’s worth coming in.
Symptoms Worth Paying Attention To
A lot of people with flat feet have no symptoms whatsoever. When symptoms do show up, they tend to include:
- Foot pain or fatigue, especially along the inner foot and ankle
- Ankle swelling
- Knee and hip pain tied to altered gait mechanics
- Trouble standing on your tiptoes
- Shoes wearing unevenly, particularly on the inner sole
Your Questions, Answered
New Canaan Podiatry provides flat feet treatment and comprehensive foot care for patients of all ages in New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, Wilton, and the surrounding Fairfield County communities.
Call (203) 548-7688 or request an appointment online.
Are flat feet actually a serious problem?
Not usually, for a lot of people they cause no issues at all and need no treatment. It becomes worth addressing once they start causing pain, changing your gait, or contributing to knee, hip, or lower back problems.
Can flat feet be fixed?
In kids, arch development can often be supported and encouraged with orthotics and the right footwear. In adults, the structural collapse usually can’t be fully reversed, but symptoms respond well to conservative treatment in most cases. Severe tendon damage is the scenario where surgical reconstruction comes into play.
Do flat feet really cause back pain?
Yes, and it’s a real chain reaction. A collapsed arch throws off alignment up the whole leg, the knees bow inward, the hips rotate to compensate, and the lower back ends up absorbing the difference. That’s how a foot issue turns into back pain over time.
How do I know if my child's flat feet need attention?
Flat feet are completely normal in infants and toddlers. Worth getting evaluated if your child’s arches still haven’t developed by age 3 to 5, or if they’re complaining of foot or leg pain, avoiding physical activity, or seem to be struggling with balance.
What shoes actually help with flat feet?
Motion-control and stability shoes with firm midsoles and solid heel counters give the best support. Steer clear of flexible, minimalist shoes, high heels, and anything unsupportive like flip-flops.
Will I need surgery?
For most people, no. Surgery is reserved for severe cases, especially a torn or significantly degenerated posterior tibial tendon, where conservative treatment hasn’t relieved symptoms. The large majority of patients do well with non-surgical care.
Can flat feet lead to plantar fasciitis?
Yes. Flattened arches change how stress is distributed across the bottom of the foot, which can overload the plantar fascia and trigger plantar fasciitis. Custom orthotics that support the arch tend to help with both conditions at once.
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Why Patients Choose New Canaan Podiatry
Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to stay active and healthy, our team is here to help.