How your podiatrist in Fort Walton Beach, and Crestview, FL, can help you find relief from flat feet.
Do you suffer from flat feet? If so, you already know about the aching pain when you stand or walk. What you might not know is that your podiatrist can help your feet feel better.
Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi at Emerald Coast Podiatry offers comprehensive foot and ankle services, including treatment for flat feet. He has two convenient office locations in Fort Walton Beach, and Crestview, FL, to help you.
Flat feet may not cause any problems however, they can also cause painful, annoying symptoms like these:
- Foot and leg fatigue
- Pain your arches or in your heel
- Increasing foot pain when you are active
- Swelling and pain on the inside of your ankle
You may be at greater risk of developing flat feet if you:
- Are older or have diabetes
- Are overweight or obese
- Have rheumatoid arthritis
- Have an ankle or foot injury
There are some things you can do to get relief from flat foot pain. You can try:
- Avoiding high-impact sports and do low-impact sports like swimming instead
- Losing excess weight to take the stress off your feet
- Resting and elevating your feet whenever you can
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
Moderate to severe pain associated with flat feet needs to be treated by your podiatrist. Common professional treatments for flat feet include:
- Custom-fit orthotics to provide support for your feet
- Stretching and physical therapy to help keep you flexible
- Thermal therapy to reduce swelling and boost healing
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and pain
For severe flat foot pain, surgery may also be an option. Flat feet surgery is designed to repair tendons and ligaments that are damaged, giving you normal foot function and mobility again.
To learn out more about how to relieve pain associated with flat feet, call Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi at Emerald Coast Podiatry. You can reach him in both the Fort Walton Beach, FL, office or Crestview, FL office, by calling (850) 862-4119. Call today.