Ever wonder why your ankles always seem to ache after a long day? If you have flat feet, the answer might be literally right under your nose (or rather, under your body). Here’s why flat feet and ankle pain go hand in hand, and more importantly, what you can do about it.

A man with flat feet is experiencing ankle pain in New Jersey.

Our team of board-certified doctors provides conservative, non-surgical, and regenerative treatments to heal sports injuries and relieve pain. Our offices are located in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey, and serve all of Union county, Morris county, Middlesex county, and Somerset county including the surrounding towns of Cranford, Garwood, Clark, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Springfield, Summit, Chatham, Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Livingston, Union, Edison, Woodbridge, and Elizabeth. If you have ankle pain, don’t hesitate to call Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine or request an appointment online today.

For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.

One of The Most Common Causes Behind Ankle Pain: Flat Feet

Flat feet are a common condition in which the entire foot touches the ground without an arch or curve, forming a continuous line with the floor. Some people are born with it, while others develop it over time due to ageing, injuries, or the wear and tear of life. At first, you might overlook the main problem of this condition: Your feet weren’t exactly designed to be pancake-flat. Those arches serve a purpose.

They are a part of your body’s built-in shock absorbers, helping distribute your weight and absorb impact when you walk or run. When that system isn’t working correctly, your ankles will suffer the consequences.

How Flat Feet Cause Ankle Pain

When you have flat feet, your foot tends to roll inward too much with each step. His excessive rolling puts your ankle in an awkward position, forcing it to work overtime to keep you balanced and upright.

Without proper arch support, every step you take sends more force directly through your ankle joint. Over months and years, this extra stress starts to add up, leading to ankle pain, inflammation, and sometimes even long-term joint problems.

The muscles and tendons around your ankle also get dragged into this mess. The posterior tibial tendon, which normally helps maintain your arch, becomes overstretched and irritated, and other muscles start compensating in ways they weren’t designed to, creating a domino effect that can travel all the way up your leg.

🦶 Learn more: Ankle Surgery in New Jersey

Are My Flat Feet Affecting My Ankles?

If you’re dealing with ankle stress related to your flat feet, you probably know the main symptom: That nagging ache along the inside of your ankle that seems to get worse as the day goes on. If you notice your ankles feeling stiff when you first get out of bed in the morning, or you find yourself avoiding activities that involve a lot of walking or standing, we encourage you to come for a consultation at Genesis Orthopaedic & Spine.

Diagnosis of Ankle Pain in New Jersey

At Genesis Orthopaedic & Spine, you will have a consultation with our experienced and compassionate team. During the appointment, our specialists will:

Review the patient’s medical history
Ask about the symptoms
Conduct a physical exam

Additionally, they may ask that the patient get an X-ray, an MRI, a CT scan or a CT myelogram. Depending on the diagnosis and the cause, they will proceed to recommend the best treatment available in New Jersey for the specific case.

What Treatments Are Available for Ankle Pain in New Jersey?

While many people can successfully manage their ankle pain with conservative approaches, sometimes you need professional help. At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, a variety of therapies are available to treat your particular case of ankle pain effectively: