Patient Newsletter
Flat Feet: When your arch falls, everything shifts.
Flat feet affect millions of adults and children. Without treatment, a collapsed arch creates a chain reaction of pain - starting at the heel and traveling up through the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back.
ยง How it works
Why flat feet cause whole-body pain, and how we fix it.
When the arch collapses, the foot rolls inward. That shifts the alignment of every joint above it. The ankle, knee, hip, and lower back all compensate, which leads to pain and wear far beyond the foot itself. Our treatment targets the root cause: restoring proper arch mechanics.
01 Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics and targeted exercises rebuild support under the midfoot, correct the arch position, and reduce inward rolling.
02 Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECST) sends energy into overloaded tendons and fascia, breaking down scar tissue and triggering the body's natural repair process. This is especially helpful when flat feet contribute to heel pain or Achilles pain.
03 Bracing and Stabilization
Bracing and shoe guidance protect the ankle and subtalar joints from excessive rolling during activity.
04 Surgical Correction
For severe cases, minimally invasive surgery realigns the bones and reconstructs tendons to create lasting structural support.
In children, flat feet often improve with early orthotics and physical therapy. In adults, flat feet tend to worsen over time without treatment, causing more pain and joint damage. Same-day appointments are available.
ยง The condition
What are flat feet?
Flat feet occur when the arch collapses and the foot makes excessive contact with the ground. Some people have flat feet from birth. Others develop them over time due to injury, tendon damage, arthritis, or pregnancy. Many people with flat feet have no pain at all. Others experience heel pain, arch pain, swollen ankles, shin splints, or knee and back pain. Getting evaluated early helps stop the problem from progressing.
ยง Finding the source
How we evaluate your arches
Dr. Reddy and Dr. Pokala use on-site imaging to fully assess your arch, tendons, and foot mechanics before recommending any treatment.
01 Digital X-rays
Measure arch height and bone alignment to determine how severe the flat foot is.
02 Ultrasound Imaging
Shows real-time images of tendons and soft tissue. Useful for detecting tears or degeneration, which are common causes of adult flat foot.
03 Gait & Pressure AnalysisIdentifies how your foot moves and where pressure builds up. This guides orthotic design and treatment planning.
ยง Signs you should be seen
You might not even know flat feet are the cause.
Flat feet don't always hurt in the foot itself. These are the signs we commonly see in patients who didn't realize their arch was the problem.
Heel pain in the morning
Often the first sign of arch collapse stressing the plantar fascia.
Shoes that wear unevenly
Inner-edge wear signals the inward rolling that flat feet cause.
Tired, achy legs after standing
Poor arch mechanics force your calf and shin muscles to overwork.
Knee or hip pain with no clear cause
Misalignment from the foot travels up the entire kinetic chain.
Ankle swelling or instability
A collapsed arch puts chronic stress on the ankle joint and tendons.
Lower back pain that won't resolve
Pelvic tilt caused by flat feet is a frequently overlooked source.
ยง Your care team
Meet Our Physicians
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ยง Beyond fungal care
Everything else we do for feet.
Conservative care first, advanced technology when recommended. A full range of podiatry services for adults and children.
General Podiatry
Class IV Laser Therapy
Sports Medicine
Diabetic Foot Care
Wound Care
Corn & Callus Removal
Ankle & Foot Trauma
Ankle Arthroscopy
Wart Treatment
Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Pediatric Podiatry
Neuroma Care
Custom Orthotics
Deformity Correction
Book your visit
Step toward relief today.
Flat feet are highly treatable. The sooner we start, the simpler the solution. Call our Plano office or book online. Same-day and walk-in appointments available.