There are so many ways to experience foot pain, whether it’s from structural problems in the bones and joints, vascular and nervous conditions, or overuse injuries. This frustrating discomfort on the top, bottom, front, or back of your foot can be caused by several different common problems, including arthritis, sprains, strains, bursitis, bunions, hammertoes, stress fractures, tendonitis, corns, or calluses.
Flat feet are characterized by the lack of a proper arch at the bottom of the foot, which can lead to stability and pain issues. Like many other foot problems, it can also affect different parts of your body, including your back.
To better understand the link between the two problems, we need to explore the reasons for developing flat feet, the issues that can lead to back pain, and how we can alleviate pain in both areas. Drs. Ashkan Soleymani, Michael Salih, Arash Jalil, Saman Tabari, and their medical staff at Cedars Foot and Ankle Center are here to help residents of Tarzana and Inglewood, California, deal with foot problems such as flat feet and the issues they cause.
The network of bones and tissues in your feet that make up your arches is vital for providing shock absorption, adapting to uneven surfaces when walking or running, and protecting the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. There are several causes for developing flat feet, such as:
We’re born without arches, and sometimes never develop proper ones as we grow. Other genetic problems, like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, clubfoot, joint hypermobility syndrome, Marfan syndrome, tarsal coalition, and osteogenesis imperfecta are also linked to flat feet.
Also called acquired flat foot, this condition occurs when normal arches break down after they have formed, typically due to issues such as Charcot foot, arthritis, or various types of foot injuries.
Your gait refers to how you walk, and your feet need to be in good shape to maintain a healthy gait. Flat feet can cause problems with your gait, leading to issues such as increased shock to your joints, muscle imbalances, and altered pelvic alignment.
Research shows that flat feet alter your posture, which has a direct impact on your back. The improper alignment of poor posture due to flat feet puts additional stress on the muscles and joints in your back, and both problems make walking more uncomfortable.
To alleviate the back pain associated with foot problems, such as flat feet, we offer a range of solutions to improve stability and relieve stress in the joints of your feet. A combination of physical therapy to reduce strain and increase balance, along with devices like orthotics, can help alleviate flat feet and relieve back pain associated with them.
Orthotics are inserts placed in footwear to correct foot arches and alleviate discomfort during walking. Depending on your needs, we can offer functional or accommodative orthotics that we custom-fit to your feet to provide the best results.
Flat feet can cause discomfort in other body parts, including your back, but we can help you feel better and walk more easily. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Soylemani, Salih, Jalil, Tabari, and the Cedars Foot and Ankle Center team today to find a solution that fits your feet.
