Flat Feet Treatment Sydney | Beecroft Village Podiatry
Aching arches, tired feet at the end of the day, or shoes that wear out unevenly? Flat feet (pes planus) can quietly overload your ankles, knees, hips and lower back if left unmanaged. Our AHPRA-registered podiatry team assesses exactly how your feet move and builds a plan — from custom orthotics to targeted strengthening — to support your arch and take the strain off the rest of your body.
Understanding Flat Feet
Flat feet, medically known as pes planus, occur when the arch along the inside of the foot flattens or collapses, causing the whole sole to sit closer to the ground when standing. It’s extremely common — many children have naturally flexible flat feet as their arches develop, and a large number of adults have some degree of flattened arch without ever knowing it.
For some people flat feet cause no trouble at all. For others, the altered foot position changes how load travels up through the ankles, knees, hips and lower back, leading to pain, fatigue and, over time, secondary problems like plantar fasciitis or tendon dysfunction if the underlying biomechanics aren’t addressed.
Common Causes of Flat Feet
Flat feet can be something you’re born with or something that develops gradually over time — both call for a different approach to management.
Signs You May Have Problematic Flat Feet
Not every flat foot needs treatment, but the following signs suggest your arches may be affecting the rest of your body.
Types of Flat Feet We Treat at Beecroft Village Podiatry
Getting the right diagnosis matters — the cause and type of your flat feet shapes exactly how we manage them.
Flexible Flatfoot
An arch is visible when the foot is off the ground but flattens under weight-bearing load. The most common type, especially in children and younger adults.
Rigid Flatfoot
The arch stays flat whether weight-bearing or not, often linked to underlying bone or joint alignment issues that need closer assessment.
Adult-Acquired Flatfoot (PTTD)
Gradual arch collapse caused by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, most common in middle-aged adults and often mistaken for simple ankle pain.
Paediatric Flatfoot
Very common and often a normal part of arch development in young children, monitored closely for any signs of genuine concern.
Tarsal Coalition
Two or more bones in the foot are abnormally fused, producing a rigid flat foot that often first becomes symptomatic in adolescence.
Compensatory Flatfoot
Flat feet developing as the body compensates for tight calf muscles, leg length differences or other biomechanical imbalances.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Flat Feet?
Flat feet are often dismissed as a cosmetic quirk rather than something worth treating — but when the arch isn’t supporting load properly, that extra strain has to go somewhere else. Left unmanaged, the altered mechanics can gradually affect everything from your tendons to your lower back.
Left unaddressed, flat feet can lead to:
- Progressive arch collapse and worsening pronation over time
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction or tearing
- Plantar fasciitis and persistent heel pain
- Knee, hip and lower back strain from an altered gait
- Bunions and other toe deformities developing over the years
Expert Flat Feet Treatment at Beecroft Village Podiatry
We don’t just look at your arch in isolation — we assess how your whole lower limb moves and build a plan to support it long-term.
Comprehensive Biomechanical Assessment
We examine your arch height, joint flexibility and muscle strength both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing to understand exactly what’s driving your flat feet.
Video Gait Analysis
We film and analyse how you walk and run to identify pronation patterns and how your flat feet are affecting your ankles, knees and hips.
Custom Orthotic Prescription
Where needed, we design and fit custom orthotics moulded to your foot to support the arch, correct excess pronation and redistribute pressure evenly.
Footwear Advice & Modification
Practical guidance on shoes that genuinely support a flat or pronated foot, plus modifications where off-the-shelf footwear isn’t enough on its own.
Strength & Stretching Program
A tailored program targeting the tibialis posterior, calf and intrinsic foot muscles to build lasting arch support alongside your orthotics.
Why Choose Beecroft Village Podiatry for Flat Feet Treatment in Sydney?
Biomechanics Expertise
Specialised experience assessing and managing flat feet across children, adults and older patients.
40+ Years Experience
Trusted foot and lower limb care across Sydney’s northern suburbs since 1981.
Video Gait Analysis
Objective movement assessment to see exactly how your arch behaves under load, not just guesswork.
Health Fund Rebates
Medicare EPC plans and rebates from most major private health funds accepted.
Meet the Team Behind Your Foot Health
Our AHPRA-registered podiatrists bring decades of combined experience assessing and managing flat feet and related biomechanical issues.
Dr Anthony Gum
Podiatrist & ChiropractorAnthony is one of a small number of Australian practitioners dual qualified as a Podiatrist and Chiropractor, offering a whole-body view of arch and gait-related issues.
Ms Gentry Winters
PodiatristA 2009 Bachelor of Science graduate from the University of Newcastle, Gentry has broad experience in biomechanics and custom orthotic therapy.
Ms Susie Wales
PodiatristSusie has practised podiatry since 1984 and is a member of the Australian Podiatry Association, with a strong interest in paediatric and adult foot posture.
Mr Neil Jusuf
PodiatristNeil completed his Bachelor of Podiatry at the University of Newcastle in 2015 and has treated biomechanical foot conditions across the Hornsby and Hills district.
Dr Anthony Duffin (Retired)
Founding PodiatristAnthony founded the clinic in 1981 after graduating from the Institute of Technology’s School of Podiatry, later earning First Class Honours from Brighton University, England.
Read full biographies of our podiatry and chiropractic team on our About Us page.
Book Your Flat Feet Assessment Today
Don’t let unsupported arches keep straining your ankles, knees and back. Get an expert biomechanical assessment and a support plan built around your feet.
Flat Feet Treatment FAQs
No. Many people have flat feet with no pain or issues at all. Treatment is generally recommended when flat feet are causing pain, fatigue, or are contributing to problems in the ankles, knees, hips or lower back.
An adult’s arch shape generally can’t be permanently “reshaped,” but custom orthotics, strengthening and footwear changes can significantly improve support, reduce pain and prevent the condition from worsening.
Flexible flat feet are very common and often normal in young children as their arches develop. We assess each child individually and only recommend treatment where there are genuine signs of concern, such as pain or an unusual gait.
It depends on the cause of your flat feet. Some patients use orthotics long-term for ongoing support, while others transition to strengthening and supportive footwear once symptoms settle. We’ll discuss what’s realistic for your case.
Yes. When the arch collapses, it can change how the ankle, knee and hip align during walking and running, placing extra strain further up the leg and lower back over time.
Yes, we accept Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans and rebates from most major private health funds.
How to Get to Us
Beecroft Village Podiatry is located at 21 Wongala Crescent, Beecroft, with easy access from across Sydney’s northern suburbs.
By Car
Convenient access via Beecroft Road and Wongala Crescent, with on-site and nearby street parking available.
By Public Transport
Our clinic is a short walk from Beecroft Station on the T1 North Shore Line, with regular train services throughout the day.
Parking
Free on-street parking is available close to the clinic entrance.
Other Treatments We Offer
Flat feet often go hand in hand with other foot and lower limb issues. Explore more of our podiatry treatments below.