Over time, the tendon that runs along the inside of the ankle and helps support the arch can get weakened or tear. As the severity increases, arthritis may develop in the foot.
No treatment is necessary for flatfeet if it doesn't cause pain.
Although flat feet aren't necessarily painful, in some cases, they can cause foot pain and affect your gait, leading to imbalances and pain in your ankles, knees, hips, and back.
Your body's balance begins in the feet; when the feet do not provide proper support, it can raise your risk for joint problems caused by poor posture and unnatural gait. Individuals with flat feet could be more likely to experience injury or pain in the feet, ankles, knees, or hips.
Flat feet that cause pain or are linked to bone problems or tight tendons might need treatment. This could include shoe inserts to support the arch, physical therapy, special exercises, casting, or rarely, surgery.
A maximum 50 percent disability rating is assigned where the bilateral flat foot is shown to be pronounced with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo Achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.
This condition often develops during the teen years and gets worse with age. Your feet may feel painful. It can be difficult to flex the feet up or down or move them side-to-side. Flatfoot may affect one foot or both.
Treating flat feet using exercises can prove to be a difficult task. Conservative management strategies and exercises to improve flat feet have limitations in rebuilding the arch entirely and rather serve to maintain and support the arch as weight is applied to it. This is usually done in conjunction with orthotics.
Structural correction of flat feet can take between 3-18 months. Not all flat feet cases can be corrected, however many can be.
Wear the right shoes
Men and women with flat feet should generally avoid shoes that offer little to no arch support, such as flip flops, shoes with thin or flat soles, and certain types of high heels. Look for shoes that will provide the support you'll need to safely participate in physical activities.
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles. Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Ashley Ledger states, “Flatfoot disorder may gradually worsen to the point that many of the tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle are simply overworking.” Early treatment is important in flatfeet since ignoring the condition can lead to even more serious conditions including arthritis and loss of function.
While many people have flat feet and do not experience any negative effects, others may find that they have foot pain, fatigue easily, or have an abnormal walking pattern. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make living with flat feet more comfortable.
People with flat feet have a very low arch or no arch, meaning that one or both feet may be flat on the ground. Flat feet can affect the body's alignment when a person is standing, walking, or running. As a result, having flat feet can increase the likelihood of developing pain in the hips, knees, and ankles.
It takes time for the foot's natural arch to develop. Flat feet rarely cause any problem with walking and often disappear by ages 2 or 3. Extremely flat feet can make your baby's ankles appear to bend inward as they walk. This happens if the arches don't fully develop to realign the foot and ankle.
Symptoms of Flat Feet and Fallen Arches
Pain in the area of the arches or heel. Feet that tire easily. Restricted foot movement, such as not being able to stand on your toes. Swelling on the underside of the foot.
The simple answer is yes, firm support on your arch promotes better biomechanics while standing, walking, or running. Orthotics for flat feet help alleviate pain, balance your body, and align your spine, reducing the risk of developing problems in your ankles, knees, back, and hips.
The causes of flat feet are varied. Some inherit the condition from their parents as an isolated trait, this is particularly true for children with hypermobility or “double jointed”. Others develop flat feet as part of another genetic condition. Still others develop the condition over time.
A shoe with a firm heel will go a long way to making a day on your feet more bearable. In addition, choosing shoes with leather uppers will help to keep that support for a long time. Orthotics for flat feet are also important to use if you need extra support.
Can weight loss help flat feet? If obesity is a primary cause of your flat feet, weight loss can help relieve any pain or other symptoms you're experiencing from them. Losing weight reduces the amount of weight your feet need to bear, which helps reduce pain and stress on your feet.
The consequence of having flat feet is a misalignment of the whole body due to the poor foot posture, inevitably leading to postural problems.
Health Issues Linked to Flat Feet
That being said, having flat feet can increase your chances of suffering from other health problems. For instance, because flat feet can change the overall alignment of the legs, people with flat feet may develop chronic and painful ankle, knee, hip, and back issues.
Flatfeet is not unusual in infants and toddlers, because the foot's arch hasn't yet developed. Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some people never develop arches. People without arches may or may not have problems.