Flat Feet Specialist

The Center for Foot Disorders

Shashank Srivastava, DPM, FACFAS

Podiatrist located in Rockville, MD

Flat feet are a source of painful symptoms that can occur anywhere in the feet, as well as the ankles and knees. At The Center for Foot Disorders, Dr. Shashank Srivastava helps patients from Rockville, MD, get optimized care for flat feet, providing proper support for arches and correcting underlying problems.

301-330-0468

Flat Feet Q & A

What are flat feet?

Flat feet (or flatfeet) occur when the arches of the feet are flattened rather than assuming the normal curve that provides support to the midsection of the foot. Flat feet can develop in childhood when the arch does not develop in a normal manner, or they can occur in adults when the structures that support the arch become weak or damaged. People who are obese and those who have diabetes are at an increased risk for developing flat feet.

What kinds of symptoms can be caused by flat feet?

Flat feet typically cause pain and aching, especially in the midsection of the foot, but also in the heel and toes and along the sides of the feet. That's because the arch connects with the ligaments and tendons that provide support to the other areas of the foot, and when the arch is not properly curved and supported, it can increase strain and pain in these areas as well. Some people with flat feet also experience knee or lower back pain as a result of changes in the way they walk or stand. Symptoms may be persistent or they may occur after long periods of activity like sports participation.

What treatments are available for flat feet?

People who have flat feet can benefit from:

custom orthotics designed specifically for the patient's own foot shape to provide optimal support and relieve painful symptoms
stretching exercises to help strengthen the arch and reduce inflammation
proper selection of footwear, including avoiding shoes that provide inadequate arch support like ballet flats or sandals
physical therapy to improve gait mechanics and reduce the risk of injury

In more severe cases such as when flat feet occur as a result of damage to the structure of the arch, surgery may be needed to correct a defect, repair damaged or stretched ligaments or tendons, and provide long-term relief of symptoms.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At The Center for Foot Disorders, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed.