Flat feet are one of the most misunderstood foot conditions. Many adults assume their low arches are automatically a problem. Others blame every ache from ankle to hip on their flat feet without knowing if there is any real connection. If you are based in Stillorgan or the surrounding South Dublin area and wondering whether your flat feet need attention, you are not alone. Patients often arrive at clinic convinced something is wrong when their feet are functioning perfectly well. This post explains what actually causes flat feet, when symptoms warrant treatment, and how a podiatrist determines whether intervention is needed.
What causes flat feet in adults?
Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot sits lower than average or makes full contact with the ground when standing. There are two main types.
Flexible flat feet are the most common. The arch appears when sitting or standing on tiptoes but flattens under body weight. This is often simply how the foot developed during childhood and causes no problems for many people throughout their lives.
Rigid flat feet maintain their flat position regardless of whether weight is applied. This type is less common and more likely to cause symptoms.
In some adults, flat feet develop later in life. This acquired flatfoot often results from the posterior tibial tendon weakening or becoming damaged. This tendon runs from the calf down behind the ankle and supports the arch. When it loses capacity to handle load, the arch gradually collapses. Contributing factors include age, previous injury, prolonged standing on hard surfaces, and footwear that offers no support during demanding activities.
The key principle is load versus capacity. Flat feet become problematic when the demands placed on them exceed what the foot and ankle structures can tolerate.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
Many adults with flat feet experience no symptoms whatsoever. The foot functions well and requires no treatment.
When flat feet do cause problems, common symptoms include aching along the inner ankle or arch after standing or walking for extended periods. Some patients notice their feet tire quickly or feel unstable. Pain may spread to the outer ankle if the foot rolls inward excessively. In some cases, knee, hip, or lower back discomfort develops as the body compensates for altered foot mechanics.
Symptoms that warrant assessment include pain that does not settle with rest, swelling around the inner ankle, difficulty standing on your toes on one leg, or noticing that one arch has recently dropped compared to the other. If your flat feet have always been present and never caused pain, there is usually no urgent need for intervention. If something has changed, booking a proper assessment makes sense.
How is flat feet treated at Foot Focus Podiatry?
Treatment for flat feet depends entirely on whether they are actually causing your symptoms. Not every flat foot needs fixing.
Every patient receives a thorough assessment including detailed history review, muscle and joint testing, and baseline strength measurements. For chronic or complex cases, this is followed by gait analysis on our Gait and Motion Footscan pressure plate mat. The Footscan captures thousands of data points showing precisely how forces distribute across your foot with every step. This removes guesswork and identifies the true source of your pain.
When treatment is needed, it follows a structured approach. Stage one focuses on immediate pain relief through padding, strapping, or Class IV laser therapy to reduce discomfort and improve tissue tolerance. Stage two introduces strength exercises designed to build capacity in the muscles supporting your arch. Stage three involves progressive loading where activity increases while monitoring pain trends. Stage four returns you to full activity with a maintenance programme and patient education.
Orthotics are not automatically prescribed for flat feet. At Foot Focus, we build foot strength through rehabilitation first and only introduce orthotics if still clinically indicated after strengthening. When orthotics are appropriate, we use Phits 3D printed orthotics manufactured from your individual Footscan pressure data. These are part of a structured strength and mobility programme, not a permanent crutch. Most patients see meaningful progress within eight to twelve weeks of consistent rehabilitation.
You can find out more about how we assess and treat flat feet at our Dublin clinics on our biomechanical assessment page.
What patients in Dublin 14 are asking about flat feet
Q: Do I need orthotics if I have flat feet?
A: Not necessarily. Many people with flat feet function perfectly well without orthotics. Orthotics are only recommended when flat feet cause pain or dysfunction that does not respond to strengthening alone. A proper assessment determines whether they would genuinely help your situation.
Q: Can flat feet be corrected in adults?
A: Flat feet in adults cannot be structurally changed without surgery. However, the symptoms caused by flat feet can often be solved through targeted strengthening and load management. Building capacity in the foot and ankle allows the structures to handle daily demands without pain.
Q: Should I stop running if I have flat feet?
A: Flat feet alone do not prevent running. Many runners with low arches train without problems. If running causes pain, the issue is usually load exceeding tissue capacity. A structured rehabilitation programme can restore your ability to run by building the strength needed to tolerate that activity.
Q: Why does my flat foot cause knee or hip pain?
A: When the foot rolls inward excessively, it can change alignment up the leg. This altered mechanics may place stress on the knee, hip, or lower back. Treating the foot often relieves symptoms higher up the chain, but a full assessment confirms whether your flat feet are actually the cause.
When should you see a podiatrist in Dublin?
Book an assessment if your flat feet cause pain that persists beyond a few days of rest. See a podiatrist if you notice one arch has dropped recently compared to the other. Difficulty rising onto your toes on one leg suggests the tendon supporting your arch may be struggling. Pain along the inner ankle that worsens with activity and improves with rest is another clear signal.
If you are in Stillorgan, Mount Merrion, or anywhere across Dublin 11 or Dublin 14, our CORU-registered podiatrists can assess whether your flat feet need treatment or are simply part of how your body is built. Book online or call either clinic.
CONCLUSION: Flat feet are common and often harmless. Treatment is only needed when they cause pain or limit what you want to do. At Foot Focus Podiatry, one of Dublin’s largest podiatry providers, we identify whether your flat feet are the true source of your symptoms and build a plan that actually solves the problem. Book online at footfocus.ie or call us at our Finglas or Mount Merrion clinic.