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There are two types of flat feet....flexible and rigid...
Flexible flat feet don't require treatment, and in fact treatment with orthotics might aggravate what is normally an asymptomatic condition...
Rigid flat feet, which it sounds like you had, is best served by treatment like you suggest.
Oh, thank you, thank you. For many, many years whenever I mention I have flat feet someone tries to push arch supports on me. When Ive used them my arches hurt like the blazes and I'd get rid of them. Im 47 y.o. now & arch supports were suggested again, today. & I was like what am I missing? I run great, I ice skate like a Soviet. But, finally, Ive been enlightened & affirmed. Thank you! (What brought me here is metatarsalgia in my R foot (it snuck up on me) bc of poor flimsy footwear choice. Real running shoes for casual or cushion pad inserts from now on).
I would THINK orthotics can only help. And Amazon has a large selection where one does NOT have to spend $100's on custom ones. It's a good start and I don't have flat feet but arthrtic feet and wear orthotics from amazon. Grandkids wear custom as does my daughter who has a collapsed tendon and kids have flat feet, both are athletic.
You can go to a specialist but it is usually not a big deal - doubtful it can be "corrected" at such a late age but it usually doesn't need anything:
Normally, flat feet disappear by age six as the feet become less flexible and the arches develop. Only about 1 or 2 out of every 10 children will continue to have flat feet into adulthood. For children who do not develop an arch, treatment is not recommended unless the foot is stiff or painful.
so i would to suggest to think twice before making any choices regarding would to do about the flat foot . And i had read an article few days back which talked about flat foot treatment and would suggest you all to read that for better understanding the issue .
OMG. I'm so disappointed in the previous recommendation! That might have been his/her experience, but it's certainly not 'most' people's experience like litlux believes. The possible complications that can result from not correcting flat feet dictate that it shouldn't be so easily disregarded.
Children with flat feet often have pain when they run. The pain serverely hinders their athletic ability, something that's important to many boys. They still play sports, but they aren't as fast and end up limping after a while. The pain isn't directly in the bottom of the foot. If I recall correctly, the pain is in the growth plate near the ankle, back of the ankle or just above ankle on the leg. Serious problems can occure if the growth plate is continually aggrevated and inflamed. Permanent damage to the growth plate is possible.
My son has flat feet and his life was greatly improved by getting orthopedic inserts specially made for his feet by a podiatrist. Don't just buy them off the rack. Don't have anyone but a podiatrist make them. It's VERY expensive but well worth it.
We always had a hard time finding shoes that fit him because his feet were so wide. It turns out that his feet aren't wide when his arch is corrected. Letting the feet stay flat, flattens out the feet to make them wider than they really are. It's so much easier to buy shoes now with orthopedic inserts!
As for the military, recruiters from all branches have told us that flat feet are accepted into the military because it's a condition that can be corrected with orthopedic inserts.
Orthopedic inserts won't permanently correct an arch (like it seems the OP was hoping). They merely provide support to the arch of the foot when worn.
I have flat feet like a duck.
Luckily, I could play all sports including snow skiing - except for running on a flat track more than a mile.
I bought my orthotics online fore less than $30 after consulting the podiatrist that would do a personal foot mold for $500.
The mold he discussed was too flat, IMO.
I brought the orthotics I bought to him and he added cork to make them stronger.
I’ve had flat feet my whole life. Probably as severe as is possible. My arches are pretty much collapsed, as my inner ankles are not even directly over my feet. The foot doctor was amazed that I can walk without pain. I use the Dr. Scholl’s inserts that are sold in certain retailers. You step on the scanner and it has you move around. Then it tells you which insert to buy. They are only $50 and last for several years. As long as I have the inserts in my shoes, I am generally pain free.
Now, can I run? Not really. I mean, I can, but my ankles and tendons will get really swollen and hurt for days. So my cardio is fast walking, or the stair master.
To the people that insist getting an expensive orthopedic custom made, your results may vary. My wife got those, and they were hard as a rock and didn’t last all that long.
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