Do you need orthotics for flat feet (or high arches)?

Many people discover one day that they have “flat feet” or “high arches.” The first question that follows is almost always the same: do I need orthotics? The honest answer is: it depends. Flat feet aren’t a disease in themselves, and neither are high arches. They’re foot shapes—variations in gait mechanics. What matters isn’t the shape in a photo; it’s what your feet go through day to day: do they hurt, do they get tired quickly, do they wear out your shoes in a strange way?

In this article, we’ll look together at what flat feet and high arches are, when orthotics are truly helpful, when they aren’t, and what differs between an adult’s situation and a child’s. For toddlers and growing children, there are specific guidelines, so we’ll point you to the dedicated article further down.

What are flat feet (and high arches)?

Flat feet are feet with a low or collapsed inner arch: the arch makes more contact with the ground when you’re standing. High arches are the opposite: the arch is very high and much of the midfoot barely touches the ground. In both cases, we’re talking about biomechanical imbalances—meaning a distribution of weight and support points that differs from average.

These two profiles are often linked to how the foot rolls during walking. Flat feet are frequently associated with overpronation: the foot rolls too far inward with each step. High arches are more often associated with oversupination: the foot rolls outward. These movements aren’t bad in small amounts—they’re part of normal walking. It’s the excess, repeated thousands of times a day, that can strain certain structures.

It’s important to understand that having flat feet or high arches doesn’t mean you have a problem. Many people live their whole lives with these foot shapes without ever feeling any pain. The foot is an adaptable structure. It’s only when the mechanics go beyond what the body can handle and cause symptoms that we start talking about treatment.

Flat feet vs. high arches at a glance

Item	Flat feet	High arches
Inner arch	Low or collapsed	Very high, pronounced
Foot roll	Overpronation (inward)	Oversupination (outward)
Weight distribution	Spread out, increased inner-foot loading	Concentrated on the heel and forefoot
Commonly reported discomfort	Arch fatigue, calf tightness, heel pain	Ankle instability, pressure points under the forefoot
Orthotic goal (if needed)	Support the arch, guide pronation	Cushion, distribute pressure, stabilize

This table gives the broad strokes, but every foot is unique. Two people with flat feet can have completely different needs. That’s why we never rely on foot shape alone to decide anything.

Do flat feet always need orthotics?

No. Asymptomatic flat feet—meaning they cause no pain or discomfort—may not require anything at all. Not everyone needs orthotics, and it would be a mistake to prescribe a device for a foot that functions well simply because it looks flat on an imprint.

The same logic applies to high arches. A flexible high-arched foot, without pain or instability, may not require any particular intervention beyond choosing good footwear. We intervene when there’s a symptom to relieve or a concrete risk to prevent—not to “correct” a shape that doesn’t bother anyone.

What tips the balance toward orthotics are signs like pain that returns with activity, feet or legs that tire quickly, uneven wear on the soles, repeated ankle sprains, or discomfort that limits activities. With these signals, an assessment can determine whether orthotics could help—and what type.

How do orthotics help flat feet?

Orthotics are medical devices designed to support, align, and correct the foot’s biomechanical function. Specifically, for flat feet, orthotics support the collapsed arch and guide pronation so it stays within a more comfortable range. For high arches, the goal is more to cushion and distribute pressure over a larger surface, since this foot type concentrates load on fewer points.

There are two main families of orthotics, and the choice depends on the goal.

Functional or accommodative: two families, two goals

Type	Functional orthotic	Accommodative orthotic
Main goal	Guide and correct biomechanical movements	Reduce pressure and friction
Materials	Rigid (polypropylene, graphite)	Soft (Plastazote foam, felt, leather)
Casting	In a neutral foot position	Weight-bearing (under body weight)
Often indicated for	Overpronation or oversupination to guide	Pressure areas, sensitivity, comfort

For symptomatic flat feet with marked pronation, a rigid functional orthotic is often considered because it guides movement. For high arches with painful pressure points, a more accommodative approach may be preferred for cushioning. In many cases, the podiatrist combines elements of both depending on what they observe. There’s no universal rule: the foot analysis guides the choice.

If you want to learn more about the manufacturing process and available options, you can consult the page on custom foot orthotics in Gatineau, which details the complete in-clinic process.

Flexible vs. rigid flat feet: what changes?

This is a distinction few people know, yet it changes a lot. Flexible flat feet retain some mobility: the arch can reappear in certain positions—for example, when you rise up onto your toes. Rigid flat feet stay collapsed regardless of position; the arch doesn’t reform.

This difference guides the approach. Flexible flat feet often respond well to support that follows the movement when there are symptoms to relieve. Rigid flat feet require a more careful assessment, because the structure moves less and the causes may be different. The same principle applies on the high-arch side: a flexible high-arched foot and a more rigid one aren’t managed the same way.

The good news is you don’t have to make this diagnosis yourself. That’s precisely the role of a biomechanical assessment: to determine whether your foot is flexible or rigid, and what that means for you.

The biomechanical assessment, step by step

Before any decision is made, the podiatrist performs an assessment. Here’s how it typically unfolds, in broad steps.

1. Initial discussion. We talk about your symptoms, your activities, your footwear, what triggers the discomfort, and how long it’s been going on.
2. Standing and movement observation. The podiatrist looks at how you stand and how you walk to assess pronation, supination, and how your weight is distributed.
3. Foot exam. We check arch flexibility, joint mobility, and sensitive or high-pressure areas.
4. Support-point analysis. We look at pressure distribution and the wear pattern on your current shoes, which can reveal a lot.
5. Shared decision-making. If orthotics are appropriate, we determine the type (functional or accommodative) and explain why. If they aren’t, we’ll tell you frankly and suggest something else.

When custom orthotics are recommended, a cast of your foot is taken. The orthotics are then ready in about 3 to 4 weeks after the prescription, thanks to a complete in-clinic process.

When should you see a podiatrist in Gatineau for flat feet?

The right time to consult is when the issue starts to worry you or when a symptom sets in. Recurring heel or arch pain, legs that tire quickly when walking, an ankle that “gives out,” or unusual shoe wear—these are all good reasons to have your feet assessed. You don’t need to wait until it becomes disabling.

Let’s take a concrete example. A person in Gatineau, an office worker, starts brisk walking again in Gatineau Park in the spring. After a few weeks, the arch of their left foot feels strained and their calf is tight at the end of the day. They’ve had flat feet forever, but it’s the first time it’s bothered them. At the assessment, we find marked pronation on the left and inward wear on their walking shoes. A functional orthotic is recommended to support the arch and guide movement, and we also adjust their footwear choice. The goal isn’t to “correct flat feet” that weren’t a problem before, but to address a symptom that appeared with a new activity.

Conversely, if your flat feet or high arches have never caused you any issues, there’s no urgency to act. An assessment can then mainly serve to reassure you and confirm that everything is fine. To better understand each profile, you can read our pages on flat feet: a common condition to understand and on high arches.

Adult or child: it’s not the same story

In adults, foot shape is stable: we’re working with a foot that has finished growing. The decision to use orthotics is then based mainly on symptoms and the mechanics observed.

In children, it’s different. The foot is still growing, and it’s normal for a young child’s foot to look flat, as the arch develops over time. The decision criteria, follow-up, and timing of intervention aren’t the same as in adults, and flat feet in a child aren’t approached the same way as flat feet in an adult. Since the topic has its own nuances, we’ve dedicated a full article to it: visit our page on orthotics for children in Gatineau if your question concerns a child.

Frequently Asked Questions

---