Key Takeaways:
- Everything in the human body is connected. This means that the source of your chronic ankle pain may actually be located in the soles of your feet.
- Not everyone with flat feet will experience ankle pain, but those who do have a range of options for treatment, including home remedies, custom orthotics, and physical therapy.
- In some cases, shockwave treatment may be recommended for ankle pain caused by flat feet.
Our ankles do a lot of work for us. They help us balance, allow our feet to move us in almost any direction, and take on the weight of our entire bodies when we’re standing up. So when your ankle starts to hurt, you can’t help but notice the pain.
Like most joints, minor ankle pain is often relieved with rest, ice, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, or stretches. What happens, then, when none of that helps your ankle feel better?
Sometimes, the cause of your pain isn’t in your ankles – it’s in your feet. Specifically, flat feet can lead to chronic ankle pain. The specialists at Plymouth Podiatry explain the links between flat feet and ankle pain, and what you can do about it.
Flat Feet and Ankle Pain
Everything in our bodies is connected. That’s why flat feet can become a source of ankle pain.
Feet with typical arches – the middle part of the sole of your foot is slightly off the ground when you stand up – support the ankles and legs when you stand, walk, run, dance, or do any other upright activities. The arches act as shock absorbers that protect the rest of your body when your feet hit the ground. When those arches don’t exist or are too low, the force of your foot hitting the ground sends more shockwaves up through your bones, muscles, and tendons. With your ankles right there, they take on an enormous amount of the weight-bearing load, causing you pain.
Not all people with flat feet will experience pain. For those that do, though, the pain might be located:
- Behind the ankle, at the base of the lower leg
- The inside of your ankle (the part that faces your other leg)
- The arch of the foot, or where the arch should be
- Toward the outside of the foot, just under your knobby ankle bone
Persistent pain in these areas may be a sign that your flat feet are taking a toll on your ankle.
Treatment for Ankle Pain Caused By Flat Feet
Thankfully, you don’t have to live with ankle pain caused by your flat feet. If your podiatrist determines that flat feet are, indeed, the source of your ankle pain, they might suggest any of the following treatments:
Custom Orthotics
Store-bought orthotics, such as gel inserts, are great for quick pain relief, especially for people who are on their feet a lot. However, for chronic ankle pain and flat feet, you may need custom orthotics.
While these are more expensive than gel inserts, they are specially designed for your specific foot and gait. They’re also much longer lasting than store-bought orthotics.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy designed to improve the flexibility in the back of your legs, where the connective ligaments are located. You’ll also be given exercises to do that will strengthen the muscles and tendons in and around your feet for better support.
It’s important to follow your physical therapy regimen. Doing so will not only help you feel better now, but can help prevent further injuries and pain.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is an excellent non-invasive option when other treatments haven’t worked, but your doctor doesn’t consider you a good candidate for ankle surgery.
During your shockwave therapy treatment, your doctor will hold a small device against your skin that generates high-intensity ultrasound waves targeting your pain. These waves stimulate blood flow to the affected area or damaged tissue, allowing your muscles to relax and damaged tissue to heal faster. Most patients report almost immediate pain relief.
Shockwave therapy for foot pain is generally considered by most patients to be non-painful, is usually covered by insurance, and may prove effective after only a few treatments.
FAQ: Flat Feet and Ankle Pain
Q: How do I know if I have flat feet?
A: Flat feet have no or low arches, that part of your sole that curves up and helps support your body weight. You might have flat feet if you notice:
- Your feet splay outward when you stand up
- You develop calluses on the inner part of your soles
- You experience foot pain or shin splints after walking even a short distance
Only a qualified podiatrist can accurately diagnose you with flat feet. They will look at the front and back alignment of your feet, ankles, and legs when you stand up and when you walk. They may also take X-rays or MRIs of the bones in your feet.
Q: Does having flat feet require surgery?
A: In most cases, no. Surgical intervention for flat feet is rare. Most patients feel better with custom orthotics, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and/or shockwave therapy. If none of these treatments work, minimally invasive surgery may be an option.
Q: When should I see a doctor about my ankle pain?
A: If traditional home remedies such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, over-the-counter pain relievers, store-bought orthotics, and stretching don’t help make the pain even a little bit better, or it gets worse over time, you should see a doctor.
See a doctor right away if you’ve had an accident or injury related to your foot or ankle.
You Don’t Have to Live With Ankle Pain
Just because you have flat feet doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a lifetime of pain. Our doctors at Plymouth Podiatry are board-certified in treating both flat feet and ankle pain, and, when necessary, ankle surgery.
Make your appointment today to speak with one of our foot pain specialists in Plymouth or the best podiatrist for ankle pain in Rayhnam.