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The Link Between Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet

The Link Between Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet

More than 2 million Americans get plantar fasciitis each year. It’s a foot condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot — and it can cause sharp, stabbing pain that makes each step uncomfortable.

Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but if you have flat feet, you are particularly susceptible. Here to help you understand the connection between these two conditions is Guillermo Duarte, MD, and our team at Manhattan Orthopedics.

Here’s why you might be more likely to experience the pain of plantar fasciitis if you have flat feet and what you can do to find relief.

The basics of plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis develops when your plantar fascia gets strained or inflamed. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes along the bottom of your foot.

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp, localized heel pain. This pain is often worse after resting for long periods, and it can make your first steps after waking up in the morning incredibly painful.

You might also experience a tight, stiff feel in your heel or along the arch of your foot. The bottom of your foot might be sensitive to the touch, and it isn’t uncommon to notice visible inflammation and swelling around your heel or arch area.

Plantar fasciitis can happen to anyone, but a few risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing it. Having flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal walking pattern can place excessive strain on your plantar fascia, and so can obesity or sudden weight gain. Engaging in activities that involve a lot of foot impact, like running or dancing, also puts you at greater risk.

The links between plantar fasciitis and flat feet

Your arches play an important role in both the function and structure of your feet. They act as shock absorbers, helping to distribute weight and pressure evenly across your feet when  standing, walking, and running. They also provide balance and stability, and help protect your bones, ligaments, and muscles from excessive strain.

Flat feet, or fallen arches, occur when the arches of your feet collapse or fail to develop properly. The entire sole of your foot comes in contact with the ground, and it affects the alignment and distribution of weight across your foot.

Having flat feet can make plantar fasciitis more likely for a few key reasons: 

Altered foot mechanics

Having flat arches can make your feet roll inward excessively (overpronation). Overpronation can lead to abnormal strain on the plantar fascia when you stand, walk, and run — and it can eventually result in plantar fasciitis.

Misalignment

Arches provide essential support to your feet and the rest of your body. Without that support, flat feet can contribute to improper foot alignment that then affects the health of your ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Misalignments like this may further exacerbate foot problems like plantar fasciitis.

Increased strain on the plantar fascia

When you have flat feet, your plantar fascia undergoes additional tension and stress as it works harder to maintain foot stability. The added stress increases your risk of inflammation, small tears in the fascia, and plantar fasciitis over time.

How to find relief from the pain of flat feet and plantar fasciitis

So, flat feet can make plantar fasciitis more likely — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the pain. Dr. Duarte and our expert team specialize in diagnosing and managing plantar fasciitis. Here’s how we can help.

We start with a comprehensive assessment, where we thoroughly evaluate your foot structure and gait to understand the severity of your condition and its root causes. We discuss your symptoms and your lifestyle, because both can influence our treatment recommendations. Then, we work with you to find a treatment plan that effectively manages your condition. 

Many people find relief with a period of rest and gentle stretching. We may recommend physical therapy, where you’ll get targeted exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs, improve flexibility, and reduce your risk of further injury.

We’ll give you guidance on footwear choices and activity modifications to minimize stress on your feet. You might also be a good candidate for custom orthotics, which are devices that fit into your shoes and provide the necessary arch support your feet are missing.

For severe cases, we may recommend additional treatments, like night splints or corticosteroid injections, to promote healing.

Think you might have plantar fasciitis? Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Schedule a consultation today to begin your journey toward healthier, more comfortable feet. Call one of our offices in Astoria, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, New York, or book online now.

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