Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees children and adults with flat feet at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. Bring the shoes worn most days, because the way they wear shows how the foot works. For a child, tell him when the pain or tiredness comes on, for example after school sport or a long walk.
What is flat foot?
A flat foot is one where the inner arch touches, or nearly touches, the ground when you stand. It is common and usually causes no problems. Most young children have flat feet, and the arch usually forms between the ages of 3 and 10. In a flexible flat foot, the arch comes back when the child sits or stands on tiptoe, and most children outgrow it. A stiff (rigid) flat foot is different and needs checking. In adults, a flat foot can also develop later in life. A common cause is a weak or damaged tendon on the inner side of the ankle, the posterior tibial tendon, which normally holds up the arch. Treatment is only needed when the foot is painful, stiff or getting worse.
Common signs
- A child whose flat feet are painful, stiff, or tire quickly.
- Aching along the arch, ankle or lower leg, or shoes that wear out quickly.
- An adult whose arch has fallen when it was not flat before, often on one side.
- Pain and swelling just behind and below the inner ankle bone.
- Frequent foot or ankle injuries, or problems with walking or balance.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
His services list includes flat foot treatment, and his CV lists the treatment of foot and ankle deformities in children. Dr. Subhash checks whether the flat foot is flexible or stiff, and whether it is the cause of the pain. He watches you or your child stand, walk and rise on tiptoe, looks at how the shoes wear, and arranges an X-ray when needed. Many flat feet need no treatment, and he tells you when that is the case.
What to expect
Consultation
He asks about pain, tiredness, injuries and sport, and whether anyone else in the family has flat feet.
Examination
He checks the arch standing, sitting and on tiptoe, how tight the calf is, and the tendon on the inner side of the ankle.
X-rays if needed
An X-ray shows the shape of the bones. It is most useful for a stiff or painful flat foot.
Treatment plan
Wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel, arch supports or insoles, and calf stretches. For children, off-the-shelf arch supports often work as well as custom-made ones. Adults with a tendon problem may need a brace for a time.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist can guide stretching and strengthening exercises.
Review
He checks progress. Surgery is rarely needed. It is considered only when pain continues after months of treatment, or when a flat foot becomes stiff.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- Most children with a flexible flat foot develop an arch as they grow, without treatment.
- Insoles and supportive shoes can ease pain and tiredness, but they do not change the shape of the foot.
- In adults with a tendon problem, pain often lasts longer than three months, even with early treatment.
Risks to know about
- Implants placed in the foot to create an arch have not been well studied in children and teenagers.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if flat feet are painful, stiff, weak or numb, or if you or your child often injure the foot or ankle. Book sooner if an adult foot has become flat when it was not before, or there is swelling on the inner side of the ankle. Go to emergency care straight away if, after an injury, the foot has changed shape or sits at an odd angle, or you heard a snap, grinding or popping noise.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
Does my child need insoles in school shoes?
Only if the flat feet cause pain or tiredness. A child with flexible flat feet that cause no pain needs no insoles. If supports do help, off-the-shelf ones are usually enough and are easy to replace as the feet grow.
Will my child grow out of flat feet?
Most do. The arch usually forms between the ages of 3 and 10. Some children never develop a high arch and still have no problems. A flat foot only needs treatment if it hurts, is stiff, or is getting worse.
Do insoles cure flat feet?
No. Insoles and arch supports do not change the shape of the foot. They can ease pain and tiredness, and help shoes wear more evenly. For children, simple off-the-shelf supports are often enough.
Can an adult get flat feet?
Yes. A flat foot can develop when the tendon that holds up the arch becomes weak or damaged. It is more common in women and in people over 40, and in people with obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.