Flat Feet Treatment Essendon & Blackburn

Melbourne Podiatry Clinic based in Essendon & Blackburn provide quality care for flat feet to residents throughout Melbourne including Strathmore, Essendon, Blackburn, Box Hill, Mitcham, Brunswick West & Forest Hill.

What does flat feet mean?

Flat feet or over-pronation is a common concern for many people and one of the main reasons people seek a podiatrist’s advice. Over 70% of the population pronate to some degree and therefore there is often a great deal of confusion around when treatment is necessary.

Most feet pronate during the gait cycle as part of the natural shock absorption process when walking or running. Over-pronation occurs when the foot pronates excessively for too long preventing the foot to resupinate and propel the body forward.

Excessive pronation can affect the normal walking pattern causing stress on soft tissue structures, postural instability and inefficient lower limb function. This can lead to heel pain, shin pain and ankle problems and leave the feet feeling tired and sore. Flat feet can also have a significant influence on the function of the knee, hip and lower back causing pain, misalignment and instability.

At Melbourne Podiatry Clinic we treat problematic flat feet with supportive and corrective devices called orthotics. Our orthotics are made by taking a precise 3D scan of your feet and to realign and support your feet. We are able to accurately assess the level of support required by each individual patient within the clinic to provide a customised, supportive orthotic that can be used every day and during sport.

Parenting Tips

At birth, it is normal for a child to have very flat feet. As the child grows older the arch should usually develop. If the arch hasn’t developed by age 5 or 6, they should be assessed by a podiatrist. They may not require treatment at this stage but it is important to monitor and assess them if you have any concerns.