Flat Feet Specialist

Grand Central Footcare -  - Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

Grand Central Footcare

Podiatric Medicine and Surgery located in Midtown East and Murray Hill, New York, NY

Flat feet can cause foot pain and alignment problems in adulthood. Highly skilled podiatrists Les J. Glubo, DPM, FACFAS, and Dawn Olsen Figlo, DPM, offer custom functional orthotics for flat feet at Grand Central Foot Care near Midtown East and Murray Hill in New York City. If your flat feet are causing problems, call or book an appointment online for fast relief.

Flat Feet Q & A

What is flat foot?

When you have flat feet, the arches that would normally develop on the inside of your feet are flattened. This common condition causes the entire soles of your feet to touch the ground when you stand up. 

Though often a painless condition, flat feet can cause foot pain especially in the heels and arches. Additionally, flat feet may cause alignment issues that contribute to problems in your ankles and knees.  

Custom orthotics, made right at Grand Central Foot Care, correct any misalignment issues you may have from flat feet.

What causes flat feet?

Everyone has flat feet as infants and toddlers. Most of the time, an arch develops as the ligaments and tendons in your feet tighten over the course of childhood. However, flat feet persist beyond childhood in about 25% of American adults. 

It’s also possible for arches to fall as the result of increasing age or for various reasons, such as:

  • Wear-and-tear tendon damage
  • Foot or ankle injury
  • Carrying excess weight

Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, may also cause flat feet. 

Who is at risk of flat feet?

Athletes and highly active people may be more susceptible to getting flat feet due to an increased risk of foot or ankle injury. Additionally, certain medical conditions may increase your risk of developing flat feet, including:

  • Obesity
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes

Diseases that affect your muscles, such as cerebral palsy, may also increase your risk of this condition. 

How do you correct flat feet?

Your podiatrist begins by performing a full biomechanical exam and gait analysis. This involves a comprehensive assessment of the way your body functions while performing basic movements, such as walking.

As expert podiatrists, Dr. Glubo and Dr. Dawn can determine a lot about your condition by watching you walk or run. They may also examine the inner structures of your feet with an X-ray, conveniently located in-house at Grand Central Foot Care. 

Once they determine the extent of your flat feet, they create a personalized treatment plan. Treatment often begins with custom functional orthotics, which take only 10 minutes to cast right in the office. 

Severe, painful flat feet that don’t improve with conservative treatment may require foot surgery. 

If you suffer from flat feet, call Grand Central Foot Care or schedule an evaluation online today.