What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Foot Health in NYC
Do your feet feel sore after walking? Are your arches barely visible—or missing altogether? If your footprint looks wide and flat when wet, you may have flat feet, also known as flatfoot. While flat feet are common and often go unnoticed in early life, they can lead to foot fatigue, instability, and even joint pain if left unaddressed.
At Best Foot Doctor NY, we help patients across Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan understand the underlying causes of flatfoot and how it may be affecting their daily lives. This page provides a full overview of the condition, so you can take the first step toward better foot health.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flat feet (or fallen arches) occur when the arches of your feet collapse or never fully develop. This causes the entire sole of the foot to come into complete or near-complete contact with the ground when you stand.
While flat feet may not cause pain right away, they can place additional stress on the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. The condition can be inherited, develop over time, or result from injury or illness.
There are two main categories:
- Flexible flatfoot – Arches are visible when the foot is off the ground but flatten during weight-bearing.
- Rigid flatfoot – The arch is absent even when not standing. This is typically more severe.
What Causes Flat Feet?
Flatfoot can be present from birth or develop in adulthood due to gradual wear and tear or medical complications. Common causes include:
Genetic or Developmental Factors
- Arches that never formed fully during childhood
- Ligament laxity (overly flexible joints)
Acquired Causes (Often in Adults)
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) – weakening of the tendon that supports the arch
- Injury or trauma to the foot or ankle
- Arthritis—particularly rheumatoid arthritis
- Obesity, which increases load on the arch
- Diabetes or nerve-related conditions
Age and physical activity also play a role. People who are frequently on their feet—like nurses, teachers, or retail workers in NYC—may experience progressive arch collapse from years of repetitive stress.
How Do I Know If I Have Flat Feet?
Some people discover they have flat feet by accident, after noticing their footprint shape or struggling to find supportive shoes. Others experience discomfort that prompts an evaluation.
Common signs include:
- Low or no visible arch in one or both feet
- Feet that roll inward (pronate) when walking
- Pain or fatigue in the arch, heel, ankle, or calf
- Uneven shoe wear, especially along the inner sole
- Difficulty standing on tiptoe
- Foot instability or poor balance
Over time, flat feet can affect not just your feet, but also your posture and gait. If you’re walking more to commute or explore NYC neighborhoods, those long distances may increase symptoms.
How Is Flatfoot Diagnosed?
At Best Foot Doctor NY, we take a detailed approach to identifying flatfoot and its severity. Diagnosis typically includes:
- Visual inspection of the arch and foot alignment
- Standing and walking evaluation to observe how the foot behaves under load
- Footprint or wet test to examine contact surface
- On-site X-rays (if needed) to assess joint and bone positioning
- Review of medical history and associated conditions like arthritis or tendon issues
Our podiatrists may also check for flexibility and strength in the posterior tibial tendon, which is often involved in adult-acquired flatfoot.
Flat Feet in Children
It’s common for infants and toddlers to appear flat-footed as their arch structures are still forming. In most children, arches develop by age 6. However, if flatfoot persists beyond that age—or if your child complains of pain, clumsiness, or fatigue—a podiatric exam is advised.
Flexible flatfoot in kids is usually harmless, but early screening helps rule out structural abnormalities and guides proper footwear choices during growth years.
We offer family-friendly evaluations at all our NYC locations, including Brooklyn, Forest Hills (Queens), and Midtown Manhattan.
Can Flat Feet Cause Other Problems?
Yes, when unaddressed, flat feet can lead to a range of secondary issues because they alter the mechanics of your stride and posture.
Potential complications include:
- Overpronation – Excessive inward rolling of the ankle
- Plantar fasciitis – Inflammation of the arch-supporting ligament
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction – Often both a cause and result of flatfoot
- Achilles tendonitis – Strain at the back of the ankle
- Shin splints and knee misalignment
- Lower back pain from improper foot mechanics
- Development of bunions, corns, or calluses
People who spend long hours walking or standing on hard surfaces—common in NYC lifestyles—are especially vulnerable to progression and pain if the condition is ignored.
What Should You Do If You Have Flat Feet?
If you’ve been told you have flatfoot—or you suspect you might—it’s important not to self-diagnose or delay. While not every case requires intervention, monitoring your foot health and understanding your structural risks is key to preventing further problems.
Our podiatrists will work with you to:
- Confirm your diagnosis
- Identify whether it’s flexible or rigid flatfoot
- Track progression over time
- Explain how the condition may be affecting other joints or posture
From there, we can refer you to our separate treatment page, which covers orthotics, footwear changes, or advanced therapies (as needed).
Flatfoot and New Yorkers: Why Localized Care Matters
Life in NYC means lots of walking, standing, and stair climbing. For someone with flat feet, these everyday activities can result in fatigue and joint strain, especially if their footwear doesn’t support their arch structure.
At Best Foot Doctor NY, our foot specialists understand the unique demands placed on your feet in a busy city environment. Whether you’re navigating the subways in Brooklyn, working long shifts in Queens, or commuting daily into Manhattan, our care is designed with real-world mobility in mind.
Schedule a Flatfoot Assessment in NYC
Think you might have flat feet, or want a second opinion about your foot shape and comfort? At Best Foot Doctor NY, we’re here to help you gain clarity, peace of mind, and direction.
Visit us at:
- Brooklyn – 1747 E 12th St
- Queens – 110-78 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills
- Manhattan – 55 W 47th St, Suite 1080
Book your flatfoot consultation today and learn how your foot structure might be affecting the rest of your body.