★ 4.9 Stars · 1,123+ Reviews · Balance Foot & Ankle Michigan
Flat Feet
Board-certified podiatrists in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. 4.9★ rated · Same-week appointments · Most insurance accepted · (810) 206-1402.
Frequently Asked Questions: Flat Feet
Do flat feet require treatment?
Not all flat feet require treatment. Flexible flat feet that are asymptomatic (no pain) typically do not need intervention. However, flat feet that cause pain in the arch, heel, ankle, or knee; lead to bunions or hammertoes; or are associated with adult-acquired flatfoot deformity should be evaluated and treated.
Can flat feet be fixed with orthotics?
Custom orthotics are the most effective non-surgical treatment for symptomatic flat feet. They provide arch support, correct overpronation, and redistribute pressure. While they cannot permanently change the structure of a flat foot, they reliably control symptoms and prevent secondary deformities from worsening.
At what age should children with flat feet see a podiatrist?
All children have flat feet until age 2–3 as the arch develops. Persistent flatfoot after age 4, painful flatfoot at any age, or flatfoot with stiffness (rigid flatfoot) should be evaluated by a podiatrist. Early intervention in children is much more effective than treatment begun in adulthood.
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your Appointment
👟 Dr. Tom Also Recommends
Podiatrist Recommended Shoes 2026: Dr. Tom’s Top Picks for Every Condition
The right footwear can make or break your recovery. Dr. Tom’s complete guide to the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, neuropathy, bunions & more — with clinical picks for every foot type.
See Dr. Tom’s Top Shoe Picks →Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Board-certified care at both Michigan locations
Book your visit today
Most insurance accepted · On-site X-ray · Board-certified podiatrists
Howell · (810) 206-1402 Bloomfield · (248) 335-0322Flat Feet — Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Michigan
Dr. Biernacki explains adult flat feet: why arches collapse, how flat feet cause knee, hip, and back pain, and the treatment options from custom orthotics to surgical reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do flat feet always need treatment?
No — many people with flat feet are pain-free and require no treatment. Treatment is recommended when flat feet cause pain in the feet, knees, hips, or back; when arch collapse is progressive; or when one foot flattens differently than the other (a sign of tendon involvement).
Can orthotics fix flat feet?
Custom orthotics cannot permanently change foot structure, but they effectively support the arch, control foot motion, and relieve pain in the vast majority of patients. For progressive adult-acquired flatfoot with tendon involvement, surgical reconstruction addresses the structural problem.
What causes adult flat feet to develop?
The most common cause of adult-acquired flatfoot is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) — the main arch-supporting tendon weakens and stretches over time. Obesity, diabetes, inflammatory arthritis, and prior ankle injuries accelerate tendon deterioration. Early treatment prevents progression to a fixed deformity.
At-Home Support for Flat Feet
For mild-moderate flat feet, a quality OTC insole often delivers 70–80% of custom orthotic benefit at 10% of the cost. Start here.
Best Insoles for Flat Feet
Rigid arch-shell insoles that correct overpronation at the source.
Powerstep Pinnacle vs Maxx vs Pulse
Head-to-head: which Powerstep fits which foot type.
Custom Orthotics vs OTC Insoles
A podiatrist's honest cost-benefit analysis.
Watch: Flat Feet: Causes, Consequences & Treatment
Dr. Tom on flat feet — flexible vs rigid, posterior tib dysfunction, when orthotics fix them, when surgery is needed.
Shoe Selection for Flat Feet and Supination: Not all flat feet overpronate — some patients with low arches actually underpronate (supinate), creating different shoe needs. Dr. Biernacki’s guide to the best podiatrist shoes for supination covers the top options for both foot types, with clinical insight on what features actually matter.
Flat Feet Support Kit
Flat feet respond beautifully to proper arch support + stability. Dr. Tom’s kit:
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. This supports our free patient education content.
Medial post + deep heel cup corrects overpronation.
Dynamic support during running/walking.
Stability for grade-III flatfoot.
Arch/medial ankle topical relief.
Related: Custom Orthotics · PTTD (Adult Flatfoot) · Book Same-Week Appointment
👁 Related: Best Insoles for Flat Feet 2026
Most flat feet respond well to the right OTC orthotic before surgery is ever needed. Our podiatrist-tested insole roundup covers the top picks for overpronation by activity.
Best Insoles for Flat Feet 2026 →