Flat Feet

The arch of your foot is its main supportive structure. If this arch loses strength, the bony framework begins to collapse, causing your foot to flatten and elongate. Like a sagging bridge, the weakness in the middle of the foot strains the joints at both ends of your feet. As a result, the entire sole of the foot will come into complete or near-complete contact to the ground.

Excess strain from feet can cause other foot problems. These conditions are a wide range of things including hammertoes, bunions, heel spurs, arch strain, corns, neuromas and sagging joints. Flat feet can also affect other parts of the body causing fatigue, pain, or stiffness in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.

Symptoms

- Pain

- Walking feels awkward

- Increasing strain and stiffness on your feet or calves

- Heel tilts away from the midline of the body more than usual

Common Causes

- Age

• As you grow older, more strain is put on your feet and it starts to flatten out

- Genetic

• Some people are born with them

- Arthritis

- Trauma

• Overuse or repeated pounding oh hard surfaces can weaken the foot’s arch

- Musculoskeletal disorders

- Diabetes

Treatment

- Strapping

• Taping feet temporarily maintained in proper position

- Orthotics

• Custom insoles worn to readjust weight-bearing position of your feet

- Supportive well-fitting shoes

- Medications

• Anti-inflammatory medication to temporarily relieve pain

- Stretching of soles and tendons

- Soaking and Massage to help relieve pain

- Surgical Reconstruction of the arch

During childhood it is normal to have flat feet. This is because our feet form during our childhood. In other words, having what appear to be flat feet during early childhood does not necessarily mean that it will persist throughout the individual's life.