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Typically, feet are a little arched to firmly balance the body weight on soles. But when the soles are flat, they are called flat feet. 

All babies are born with flat feet, and the arch develops as they grow. If arches don’t develop or collapse later (called fallen arches), they may cause pain and walking difficulties. Your foot and ankle specialist might suggest insoles for flat feet or other treatments to prevent flat feet and mitigate complications caused due to them.

What are flat feet?

Flat feet, or flatfoot, is a condition when one foot or both feet have little or no arch. When we stand, the feet’ soles take up the pressure from the body and press onto the ground. The arched feet help in evenly balancing the pressure distribution on soles.

Flat feet are often accompanied with subtalar pronation.

Flat feet may or may not cause significant problems. However, they may cause the following complications:

• Balancing difficulties
• Walking difficulties
• Stretching of calf muscles
• Leg and foot pain
• It may build undue pressure on the tarsal and metatarsal foot bones.
• Often flat feet lead to Knee, Hip and Back pain as well.

• Symptoms of flat feet

  Typically, people with flatfoot have pain. But some other symptoms may include:

  • Leg cramps
  • Fatigue in the foot or leg
  • Pain in the foot, ankle, heel or outside of the foot
  • Toe drift 
  • Heel pain
  • Tibial shin pain 

  What causes flat feet in later life?

   Typically, flat feet may be hereditary. But you may also develop flat feet due to

  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Cerebral palsy 
  • Diabetes
  • Autism
  • High BP
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Post surgical(foot and ankle)

  How are problematic flat feet diagnosed?

  Your doctor will ask you to stand on a plain surface, bare feet and observe your feet from different angles. He may also ask you to stand on your toes or ankles to examine foot, toe or ankle strength. 

  Once you visit orthotist, they will make a complete physical assessment of your entire feet and ankle complex, which would be further followed by a dynamic foot analysis. 

  A dynamic foot analysis is very important to understand the pathomechanics of your symptoms.

  The doctor will also observe your walking patterns and ask for imaging tests, like MRI, ultrasound or bone tomography tests, to diagnose any muscle or bone-related abnormality causing fallen arches or pain.

  Flat Feet Treatment

  The treatment will depend on the problems caused due to the absence of an arch in the feet and the scope of improvement. The treatment will target the management of symptoms, or forming an arch in the foot, or both. The treatment will include the following.

  Therapies

  • Orthotic devices for arch support – Arch supports devices like contour moulds and insoles for flat feet can help relieve the pain caused by flatfeet. These external arch supports won’t develop the arch in flatfeet but reduce pain symptoms.
  • Physical therapy – Flatfeet may be caused to some runners or athletes due to overuse of foot joints. Physical therapy can target specific muscles, bones, and foot arches to improve the pain caused due to flat feet. The physical therapist will also guide you to walk and develop a walking gait.
  • Stretching exercises – In some cases, the Achilles tendon may cause flat feet. Stretching exercises can ail the tendons and improve pain symptoms of flat feet.

  Surgery

  Your health care provider may recommend surgery if:

  • There is damage or carpel bone injury.
  • Other treatments are ineffective in giving relief from flat feet.
  • The feet arch is necessary for pressure redistribution.
  • Developing proper walking gait.

  Surgery can repair the bone and tendon causing the pain and improve the way you walk.

  Typically, non-prescription insoles for flat feet can help, but you must visit a doctor if you notice any significant walking issues, pain or muscle cramps. Our team at Xtremity diagnoses each case thoroughly to recommend the aptest solution.

  Book an appointment with us to relieve your flat feet pain.