Flat Feet
Do you have achy feet or lower leg pain? Does wearing shoes make your symptoms worse? When you look at your feet, is the normal arch missing? You might have a condition called flat feet or flat foot. While all babies have flat feet, the normal arches develop in early childhood. If these arches fail to form or they collapse after developing, it can lead to symptoms such as pain and problems with walking.
Please continue reading to learn more about flat feet, including why this condition occurs and how it is diagnosed and treated. Also find out what makes flat feet worse and how shoe inserts and stretching exercises can help.
What are flat feet?
Flat feet or flatfoot, as the name suggests, is a condition in which one or both feet are flat, i.e., they have very little arch. As a result, when standing, the entire pads or soles of the feet are in contact with the ground. This is in contrast to the distinct arch in the foot that is normally present in adults. Other names for this condition include pes planus, fallen arches, and pronated foot.
As mentioned, babies are born with flat feet. The foot arch appears in a child's feet by age 6. In approximately 2 out of 10 people, however, the arches don't form. Such individuals continue to have flat feet as adults. In some people, the arches develop but then collapse - a condition known as fallen arches, which is at type of flatfoot.
Most people don't have any symptoms from their flat feet. If the flat feet cause pain or other symptoms, treatments are available.
What are the different types of flat feet?
Flexible Flat Feet
Flexible flatfoot is a common condition that is diagnosed in young children and tends to get worse with age. It is usually present in both feet. The arches of the feet flatten or give way when bearing weight while standing. However, in people with flexible flatfoot, you can see arches when the person is sitting and the foot is relaxed.
Rigid Flat Feet
This is a type of flatfoot in which the person has no arches both while standing and sitting. There is an absence of arches in one or both feet regardless of whether there is weight on the feet. Rigid flatfoot usually develops during adolescence and worsens with age. Besides causing pain, this condition can make the feet less flexible.
Fallen Arches
This is a type of acquired flatfoot which occurs during adulthood. The arches in the foot drop or collapse suddenly. This can cause the foot to turn outwards. It can also be painful. A fallen arch or adult acquired flatfoot can occur in one or both feet. The most common cause of fallen arches is an inflammation or tear of the posterior tibial tendon that supports the arches.
Vertical talus
Some babies are born with a defect (congenital disability) that prevents the arches from developing. This is known as vertical talus and occurs due to the talus bone in the ankle being in the wrong location. In babies with this type of flatfoot, the bottom of the foot looks like a rocking chair, which is why it is also sometimes called rocker-bottom foot.
What causes a flatfoot?
In infants and children, absence of the foot's arch can be the result of a hereditary predisposition (meaning, the flat feet are in the genes). It can also result from a tight Achilles tendon, lax ligaments, or a lack of foot exercises.
In adults, the most common causes of flat feet are ankle injuries, tight Achilles tendons, stresses on the feet and arches, abnormal joints, or simply as a consequence of age.
Some medical conditions that can be causes of flat feet include arthritis, injuries to tendons, joint deformities, Achilles equinus contracture, Marfan syndrome, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
Sometimes, people develop flat feet in association with other health conditions like diabetes, pregnancy, obesity, high blood pressure, or rheumatoid arthritis. Other risk factors include strain or overuse.
What are the symptoms of flat feet? Does it cause foot pain?
Flat feet can be easily identified by the lack of high arches. The entire bottom of the foot touches the ground while standing.
Many people with flat feet do not have any symptoms or problems. However, in some people, this condition can be painful, especially when weight bearing. Flat feet symptoms may also include fatigue, calf muscle pain, foot pain, ankle pain, leg cramps, changes in gait (walking), and toe drift (the forefoot and toes point out).
Flat feet or pes planus can cause other issues like arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, soft tissue inflammation, pain in the knees, hips, or lower back, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and abnormal gait or walking patterns.
How is flat foot diagnosed?
When diagnosing flat feet, orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists, and sports medicine specialists listen to a patient's symptoms and perform a full foot examination. The exam involves assessing how an adult or child stands and walks and looking at the biomechanics of foot function. A healthcare provider may also order X-rays and more tests to evaluate the structure of the foot bones and determine joint alignment. Based on this review, doctors can suggest physical therapy and appropriate footwear, including the best daily wear shoes and running shoes for flat feet.
How do doctors treat flat feet?
Many people with a flatfoot deformity don’t have significant symptoms and do not need any treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend treatment for flat feet if you experience foot pain, fatigue, stiffness, or other problems.
Nonsurgical treatments are usually sufficient. Orthopaedic surgery is rarely needed but can be done as a last resort to fix problems with the tendons or bones. This is usually done by a foot and ankle specialist. Surgical options may involve a tendon transfer or other treatments.
If you experience pain, treatment usually consists of ways to relieve pain. This frequently involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. Conservative measures like rest and ice can also help. You can also work with a physical therapist to stretch tight tendons and muscles and improve mobility and flexibility. Special shoes, heel cups, and other supportive deices like foot orthotics may be recommended. Children may benefit from custom-made insoles or braces, appropriate footwear for flat feet, and exercises to improve flexibility and mobility.
Can you prevent flat feet?
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent flat feet. Wearing footwear with good support and staying at a healthy weight can ease the pain and other symptoms of flat feet.
Finding a provider for flat feet treatment
A healthcare provider is the best person to provide medical advice. In general, however, unless you have significant pain or other issues as a result of your flat feet, there is no reason to be concerned. You might want to get checked out nonetheless because flat feet can cause other problems like bone spurs, bunions, calluses, corns, arthritis, and lower back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. Be sure to consult a healthcare provider if you have difficulty walking, balance problems, painful feet, or fallen arches (sudden development of flat feet).
If you do have symptoms from your flat feet, there are effective treatment options available. Most people benefit from nonsurgical treatments. The MeTime app is a great way to obtain trustworthy health information and find out more about flat feet treatment. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video consult, and talk about treatment options. Download the MeTime app today and get relief from foot and ankle problems like flat feet.
