What Every Athlete Should Know About Fallen Arches

The foot arch is made up of tendons, bones, and ligaments that provide balance, support weight-bearing activities, and make your feet more flexible.

You can see the foot arch when you stand. It’s the open space on the bottom part of the inside of the foot. If you don’t have a visible foot arch when you stand, you have flatfoot. Fallen arches is a flatfeet condition that occurs during adulthood. 

Athletes may worry about fallen arches because of how it can affect balance, agility, or speed. Our skilled podiatrist, Dr. Richard Hochman, wants to explain what every athlete should know about fallen arches in this month’s blog.

Read on to learn more.

About fallen arches

Fallen arches, also called adult-acquired flatfeet, is a sudden collapse of the arch. The change in arch support usually occurs because of overstretching of the main tendon in the foot — the posterior tibial tendon. Without arch support, the heel of the foot turns outward, affecting alignment of the leg. 

Fallen arches may affect one or both feet. In most people with fallen arches, no single injury or event triggers the change in foot structure. Usually it’s a wear-and-tear injury that occurs over time. 

Fallen arches in athletes

Fallen arches in athletes can affect foot structure and function, and athletic ability. When left untreated, the foot condition worsens, leading to foot and ankle pain, arthritis, and deformity of the ankle.

Athletes with fallen arches may have other foot problems like plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, or foot fatigue. 

If you’re an athlete and have fallen arches or flatfeet, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hochman. He can evaluate your feet and develop a plan that helps you maintain your active lifestyle and reduce risk of future problems.

Treatment for fallen arches

How we treat your fallen arches depends on your symptoms, the severity of your foot deformity, and your goals. Initial treatment may include rest and immobilization of the foot with a boot. 

We then prescribe physical therapy to strengthen the arch-supporting muscles and add custom orthotics or braces for extra foot support. You may need to continue to use orthotics or braces for the rest of your life with fallen arches. 

If your foot deformity is severe, you may need surgery to fix the structure of the foot. You may resume weight-bearing activities within a few months after surgery, but full recovery can take a year or two.

Fallen arches can affect your athletic abilities, especially when left untreated. But with the right plan, you can continue to play and improve in your sport.

Every athlete should know that fallen arches is a treatable foot condition. For expert foot care from an experienced podiatrist, call our greater Miami office in Coral Gables, Florida, today or request an appointment with Dr. Hochman online.