Why do patients with flat feet experience heel pain?

In general, heel pain in individuals with flat feet may be caused by insufficient arch support, excessive walking or standing, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or Achilles tendinitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Insufficient arch support: In individuals with flat feet, the collapsed arch increases pressure on the heel. Prolonged stress can easily lead to pain. Wearing shoes with built-in arch support or inserting custom-made arch supports into shoes can help distribute pressure away from the heel and alleviate discomfort.

2. Excessive walking or standing: Prolonged walking or standing increases strain on the heel in people with flat feet, leading to muscle fatigue and pain. Limit extended periods of standing or walking. Elevate the feet during rest and soak them in warm water to relax the foot muscles.

3. Plantar fasciitis: Flat feet cause the plantar fascia to remain under chronic tension. Repeated pulling leads to aseptic inflammation, resulting in heel pain that is particularly noticeable when walking after getting up in the morning. Patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets as directed by a physician. Alternatively, plantar fascia release surgery may be performed to resolve fascial adhesions.

4. Heel spur: Abnormal long-term stress on the calcaneus due to flat feet can lead to bone overgrowth (spur), which irritates surrounding tissues and causes pain that worsens with walking. Patients may take ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, naproxen tablets, or glucosamine hydrochloride capsules as prescribed. If necessary, surgical removal of the heel spur (calcaneal spur excision) may be performed to reduce irritation.

5. Achilles tendinitis: In individuals with flat feet, uneven stress on the Achilles tendon during walking, combined with chronic pulling, can lead to tendon inflammation and heel pain that worsens with activity. Medications such as etoricoxib tablets, prednisolone acetate tablets, or Huoxue Zhitong capsules may be used under medical supervision. Achilles tendon repair surgery may also be considered to restore tendon function and relieve pain.

To manage symptoms daily, avoid wearing flat shoes or high heels. Choose spacious footwear with good arch support. Perform regular foot exercises such as toe raises or towel-gripping movements to strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles and help improve flat foot symptoms.