Flat Feet

Normally, when people stand their arch will be in a raised position from the level of the ground. The level of raise from the ground varies among people.

But there are cases where the people have arches that are very low. Cases of the arch being absent are also found. A condition where a person suffers due to the presence of a low arch or absence of an arch is known by the name of flat feet. The other term which is used for denoting this condition is known as fallen arches.

A person having fallen arches or flat feet will experience a flattening of the arch while standing. This causes the tolling over of the foot to the inner part.

In majority of the cases, people who are subjected to this condition do not experience any pain or trouble. But cases of people having feet that has pain have also been reported. In other cases, people may even experience the muscles and ligaments which connect the feet develop strain. This in turn can lead to the development of pain on the joints of the leg while walking.

Flat feet are very common and a normal condition in the infants which occurs as a result of the presence of the “baby fat”.

In adults, flat feet develop due injuries, illness, giving prolonged stress to the foot, presence of biomechanics that is faulty or due to the process of aging.

Symptoms

The severity of the symptoms that will be visible in persons who suffer from the condition of flat feet will depend on the nature of the condition.

The distribution of the body weight of a person will become uneven in certain cases. One particular instance which can be mentioned as a triggering factor for this condition is the rolling of the foot onto the inner sides. This condition is known by the term called overpronating.

This condition called overpronating will be visible clearly when the heels of the shoes used by the person wear out unevenly and very rapidly.

Causes

The causes of flat feet can be any one of the following conditions:

• It can he inherited.
• In some cases, the people will have this condition only when they are bearing their weight and not when sitting. This leads to the
• damage of ankle joints as well as the Achilles tendon’s line.
• It can be caused due to injuries.
• Arthritis can also lead to this condition.
• Presence of a tendon that is ruptured
• Presence of conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy as well as Spina bifida.

A rare case of flat feet develops from Tarsal Coalition, where the fusion of the foot bones occurs in a way that causes stiffness and abnormality.

Treatment

One can use shoes that are well-fitting and alleviate the pain associated with this condition.

If overpronating of the feet is present, then the shoe must have an orthotic. This will aid in the smoothing of the pain and pressure associated with the flat feet.

If the condition has developed due to the presence of ruptured tendon, then the person will have to use insole as well as analgesics. If these are not effective, then surgery must be done.