![]() This leads to increased pain and impaired function. In most adults, it can get worse if it’s not treated. This depends on the age of the person with flat feet and whether it’s rigid or flexible. What happens if you don’t treat flat feet? It usually requires a long recovery period while being off your feet. Surgery can involve realigning the bones or moving tendons and ligaments. The type of surgery needed usually depends on how flat your feet are and the alignment of the bones according to imaging tests. If the other treatments don’t help your pain related to flat feet, several surgery options are available. You may be advised to use an orthosis after your period of rest. If you do this, remember to be gentle with yourself as you come back out of the boot - do your stretches and ease back into activities. Your healthcare provider may recommend wearing a boot or cutting back on certain activities for a few weeks. Sometimes it helps to let your foot, and especially the posterior tibialis tendon, rest. But foot specialists sometimes recommend custom-made orthoses for more severe cases of flatfoot. It’s OK to start with premade orthoses, as they are generally less expensive. Shoe orthoses or inserts are either premade or custom-made. Studies show orthoses can help with pain and foot motion. Both are meant to support the arch, assist the motion of the foot, and relieve discomfort. For flat feet, this may include an ankle-foot orthosis, which looks like a brace, or a foot orthosis, which goes in the shoe. ![]() 3) OrthosesĪn orthosis (sometimes referred to as an “orthotic”) is a device designed to assist a biomechanical issue or improve motion. Physical therapy may be recommended to help you learn the exercises and perform them safely. Stretching the Achilles tendon is often recommended, too. 2) ExercisesĮxercises are intended to strengthen the muscles in the foot, calf, and ankle. There is no one “best” shoe, but something that stabilizes your foot is likely better than something without support, such as flip-flops. ![]() It’s a good idea to start with shoes that provide good arch support. It’s important to get the advice of a specialist if your pain doesn’t get better or gets worse. If you have flat feet and they’re starting to bother you, there are some things you can try on your own. Sometimes flat feet can even lead to knee, hip, or back pain. Trouble standing on the ball of your footĭifficulty with running, jumping, or similar activities Local swelling and tenderness (pain when you push on it) When flat feet start to cause symptoms, they can include: When someone looks at you from behind, it looks like your heel is drifting to the side, rather than in line with your calf and Achilles. Your toes can start to point outwards, rather than straight forward. When standing, your arch flattens and touches the floor. This is thought to be due to the increase in weight and more laxity in ligaments. Women can also experience flattening of the arches during pregnancy. This type of flatfoot is more common in women and people over 50. This tendon and other ligaments in the foot become weak, allowing the arch to flatten out. The tendon of a muscle called the posterior tibialis runs behind the inside bone of the ankle and down into the foot. In adult acquired flatfoot (flatfoot is the medical term for the condition), the arch gradually collapses over time. Rigid pes planus is usually due to a problem with the foot bones, called tarsal coalition. This is thought to be hereditary or congenital. In some cases, the arch never develops in childhood and the feet stay flat. In adults, flat feet can cause discomfort, pain, and sometimes weakness. This type is less common and more difficult to treat.įlat feet are common in children, before the arch develops, but are unlikely to cause problems. Rigid pes planus means the arch is absent at all times. Flexible pes planus is when the arch is flat while standing but present while not standing or bearing weight. When the arch is absent or collapsed, the entire foot touches the floor when standing. What are flat feet?įlat feet refer to the part of your feet where the arch should be. If that’s the case, keep reading to learn more about what you can do about it. But if you have flat feet, they may be causing you discomfort. Some of us have flat feet, while some of us have high arches. Our body parts come in all shapes and sizes, and that includes feet.
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