Non-surgical foot & ankle care · New York City
Flat Feet Treatment
Non-surgical care for fallen arches, with individually crafted orthotic devices.
Board-certified
Foot surgery, ABPS
24 years
Private practice
4.96 ★ on ZocDoc
2,618 verified reviews
Conservative
Patient-first care
Our specialized treatments
Flat Feet
Flat feet, also called fallen arches, occur when the arch collapses toward the ground as you stand. Some people never feel it. Others develop arch, heel, or ankle pain as the tendon supporting the arch weakens, and that strain often travels up to the knees and lower back.
Flat feet are a mechanical problem, so the correction is mechanical. Dr. Scott Melamed, D.P.M. supports the arch so the rest of the leg stops compensating, usually with individually crafted orthotic devices rather than surgery.
A foot with a normal arch lifts clear of the ground. In a flat foot the arch collapses onto it, and the shock absorption is lost.
When to seek care
Aching arches or heels after standing or walking
Feet that tire quickly during a normal day
Ankles that roll inward, or shoes wearing unevenly
Pain reaching the shins, knees, or lower back
A child who complains of foot pain
Common causes
A stretched or damaged posterior tibial tendon
An arch that never fully formed in childhood
Long hours on hard city pavement
Unsupportive footwear worn day after day
Injury, arthritis, pregnancy, or normal aging
Flat and normal feet compared three ways: from behind, side on with the bones shown, and by the footprint each leaves. In a flat foot the heel tips inward and far more of the sole touches the ground.
Why It Spreads Up the Leg
When the arch falls, the foot rolls inward as you walk. That is overpronation, and it pulls on the tendons along the inside of the ankle with every step.
The arch is your foot’s shock absorber, so losing it passes that load up the leg. Pain that starts in the heel often reaches the shins, knees, and lower back.
How We Treat Flat Feet
Individually crafted orthotic devices to support and enhance foot mechanics
Non-surgical solutions to relieve pain and restore foot function
Pain management for arch and heel discomfort
Personalized recovery plans for an effective return to activity
Conservative, patient-first care throughout
An orthotic supports the arch from underneath. The arrows show the load coming down through the foot and the support pushing back up to meet it.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Getting seen
Same-week appointments are usually available, and most major insurance is accepted.
Understanding your options
Non-surgical first. Dr. Melamed explains what is going on with your foot and what your options are.
A second opinion, if you need one
Told surgery is your only option? A second opinion is worth the visit.
Appointments and insurance
We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare, Oxford Health Plans, and GHI / EmblemHealth. Don’t see yours? Call 212-228-5230 and we’ll check.
Explore every option before surgery. Dr. Melamed has spent 20+ years keeping New Yorkers out of the operating room. A conservative second opinion is worth the visit. Get a Second Opinion or call 212-228-5230.
Common Questions
Flat Feet, Answered
Do flat feet always need treatment?
No. Many people have flat feet with no pain and never need anything done. Treatment becomes worthwhile once you have symptoms, or if the arch is collapsing in a way likely to progress.
Can flat feet be treated without surgery?
In most cases, yes. Custom orthotics, the right footwear, and targeted strengthening address the underlying problem, which is a lack of support, and surgery is reserved for severe or rigid deformities.
Are custom orthotics better than store-bought inserts?
Store-bought inserts add cushioning. The devices used here are individually crafted around your own foot mechanics, and Dr. Melamed will tell you whether they are worth it in your case.
How do I book an appointment?
Send an appointment request through the form on this page, or call 212-228-5230 Dr. Melamed also takes bookings through ZocDoc.
Can flat feet get worse over time?
They can. As the tendon supporting the arch stretches, a flexible flat foot can stiffen, and a rigid deformity is far harder to treat, which is why supporting the arch early matters.
My child has flat feet. Should I be worried?
Usually not. Flexible flat foot is common in young children and an arch often develops as the muscles strengthen, but it is worth an exam if your child has foot pain or avoids activity.
Explore related services
Achilles Tendon Pain
Ingrown Toenails
Neuromas
Toenail Fungus
A better life starts with healthy feet.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Scott Melamed, D.P.M. in New York City.
What our patients say
Verified reviews from our patients on ZocDoc.
Sean K.
★★★★★
Bunny H.
★★★★★
Rita W.
★★★★★