Does flatfoot cause pain on top of your feet?

Absolutely: Flatfoot causes a very unstable base of support. This causes the muscles to work harder than they should, causing pain. Get a good supportive insole such as spenco or superfeet, which should help. You should visit with a podiatrist to deal with the situation more completely.

It can: As the arch collapses or flattens, the top part of the joint takes more pressure as the bones press against each other. It the problem is long-standing, you can actually form bone spurs on the top of your feet at these joints. A supportive functional orthotic should help.

It can: As the foot flattens, the arch collapse and the heel can turn in. This is called pronation. It puts abnormal pull on the muscles, including those across the top of the foot. It also creates abnormal pressure through the midfoot joints as it adjusts for this position when weightbearing. Orthotics can sometimes help. See a podiatrist for an evaluation and to determine your treatment options.

It can...: Flatfoot conditions sometimes have components of pathology that lie above the foot. That is, they may have associated disorders of the ankle or above, such as the knee. This may be beyond the scope of a podiatrist and i would recommend seeing an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. One in your area can be found at www.Aofas.Org.