Some of the different treatments for flat feet pain include resting from any activity that aggravates the condition, taking painkilling medication, and using anti-inflammatory drugs for a short period of time. Supportive footwear, which is built to provide extra stability to the arch, can also make a difference. Many running shoes are purposely built for people who have flat feet, but the shoes can also be worn during everyday activities. If a person has severely flat feet, custom orthotics may be required because these provide the highest level of support for the foot arch.
Flat feet pain can occur in the ankle, knee, or even the hip, although it is most common in the foot itself. A person with flat feet can have the problem on one foot or both; the affected sides noticeably collapse inward while standing. Treatment for flat feet pain depends on where the problem occurs, although there are some forms of treatment that are common to all types of pain. If the discomfort is caused by repetitive strain or overuse, the most important treatment is to rest until fully healed.
To start with, pain from flat feet can be treated using medication. Painkillers such as paracetamol are commonly taken for this purpose because they can reduce pain relatively quickly. There is also some benefit to taking anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen; these kinds of drugs can speed up healing time as well as lower pain levels. It’s important to avoid taking painkillers over an extended period of time, however, as they can mask symptoms or cause other unwanted side effects.
A person suffering from flat feet pain should first look at his or her footwear. This is especially important if the person is an athlete or if he or she spends a lot of time standing up. A good shoe will provide extra support for the arch, which reduces the chance of pain and allows the body time to recover. Sometimes the support can be increased using insoles.
Orthotics are a more expensive option, but provide greater arch support, especially if they are custom made. A podiatrist takes a mold of the person’s foot and creates a shoe insert that stops pronation and reduces the effects of flat feet. In some cases, a good pair of orthotics is all that’s required for flat feet pain to disappear. Other people may find that flat feet are only part of the problem, especially if they have additional biomechanical issues.