If you’re dealing with foot pain and suspect you might have flat feet, you’re not alone. Research shows that around 8% to 37% of adults in the United States live with this common foot condition.
While flat feet can cause discomfort and affect your daily activities, there are effective ways to manage this condition and reduce your symptoms. For personalized treatment options, consider visiting Associated Foot Care Clinic to get professional guidance tailored to your specific needs.
What are flat feet?
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, occur when the arch of your foot collapses completely or partially. Without your proper arch, the entire sole of your foot touches the ground when you stand. This condition can affect one or both feet and may develop gradually over time or be present from birth. While some people with flat feet experience no symptoms, others may deal with foot pain, swelling, or difficulty with certain activities that require prolonged standing or walking.
5 What Does Flat Feet Look Like
- Complete ground contact: When you stand, the entire bottom of your foot touches the floor with no visible arch space underneath.
- Inward rolling ankles: Your ankles may appear to roll inward (overpronation) when you walk or stand, creating an unstable foundation.
- Wider foot appearance: Your feet may look broader than normal, especially through the middle section where the arch should be.
- Uneven shoe wear: The inner edges of your shoe soles wear down faster than the outer edges due to altered weight distribution.
- Visible foot imprint: When stepping out of a pool or shower, your wet footprint shows the complete outline of your foot rather than a curved arch shape.
What Causes Flat Feet
Genetics and Family History
Inherited flat feet are the most common type, passed down through families due to genetic factors that affect foot structure development. If your parents or grandparents have flat feet, you’re more likely to develop this condition yourself. This type typically appears in childhood and may remain stable throughout life. Some people are simply born with looser ligaments and tendons that don’t provide adequate arch support as they grow.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
The posterior tibial tendon runs along the inside of your ankle and helps maintain your foot’s arch structure during movement. When this tendon becomes weakened, stretched, or torn due to overuse or injury, it can no longer support the arch effectively. This condition often develops gradually and is more common in women over 40.
Injury or Trauma
Sudden injuries to the foot or ankle can damage the bones, ligaments, or tendons that support your arch structure. Fractures, severe sprains, or dislocations may disrupt the normal alignment of foot bones and compromise arch integrity. Even after the initial injury heals, the structural damage may result in permanent arch collapse. Car accidents, sports injuries, or falls from significant heights are common causes of trauma-related flat feet.
Medical Conditions
Several health conditions can contribute to the development of flat feet by affecting muscle strength, joint stability, or overall foot structure. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation that can weaken the joints and ligaments supporting your arch. Diabetes may lead to nerve damage that affects foot muscle function and stability. Cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy can cause muscle weakness that prevents proper arch maintenance throughout life.
Age-Related Changes
As you get older, the ligaments and tendons in your feet naturally lose some of their strength and elasticity. This gradual weakening process can cause previously normal arches to slowly flatten over time. The wear and tear of daily activities, combined with decreased tissue flexibility, makes older adults more susceptible to developing flat feet. Weight gain that often accompanies aging can further stress the already weakened foot structures.
Can a flat foot be corrected?
While completely “fixing” a flat arch may not always be possible, many people can improve their foot function through proper treatment. The key is early intervention and a comprehensive approach that addresses both the underlying causes and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Professional Treatment Options for Flat Feet
- Comprehensive foot examination and diagnosis: Your podiatrist will assess your foot structure, gait pattern, and range of motion to determine the severity and type of flat foot you have.
- Custom orthotic devices: Specially designed shoe inserts provide arch support and help redistribute pressure across your foot to reduce pain and improve function.
- Physical therapy and flat feet exercise programs: Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises help improve foot flexibility, muscle strength, and overall biomechanics.
- Supportive footwear recommendations: Professional guidance on selecting shoes with proper arch support, motion control, and stability features for your specific needs.
- Anti-inflammatory treatments: Medications, injections, or other therapies to reduce swelling and manage pain associated with flat arches.
- Surgical intervention when necessary: In severe cases where conservative treatments haven’t provided relief, surgical procedures can help reconstruct arch support and improve foot alignment.
What are the risks of untreated flat feet?
Chronic Foot Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
Without proper treatment, a flat foot can lead to persistent foot pain that worsens over time and significantly impacts your daily activities. The collapsed arch puts excessive strain on the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This increased tension often results in plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that causes sharp, stabbing pain in your heel.
Lower Leg and Back Problems
The altered foot mechanics caused by a flat foot creates a chain reaction that affects your entire lower body alignment and can lead to problems well beyond your feet. When your arches collapse, it changes how your legs and hips align, putting extra stress on your knees, hips, and lower back. Over time, this misalignment can cause knee pain, hip discomfort, and chronic lower back pain that may require additional treatment.
Reduced Mobility and Activity Limitations
As flat feet symptoms progress without treatment, you may find yourself becoming less active to avoid the discomfort associated with walking, standing, or exercising. This reduced activity level can lead to overall decreased fitness, muscle weakness, and weight gain, which further compounds the problem by putting additional stress on your already compromised foot structure.
Development of Secondary Foot Conditions
An untreated flat foot can create an environment where other foot problems are more likely to develop. This includes bunions, hammertoes, and calluses from abnormal pressure distribution. The altered walking pattern may cause increased friction and pressure in certain areas of your feet, leading to painful corns and calluses that require ongoing management. Additionally, the instability caused by flat feet can make you more prone to sprains and other ankle injuries that could have been prevented with proper treatment and support.
Conclusion
Managing flat feet effectively requires a proactive approach that combines professional treatment with lifestyle modifications to address both symptoms and underlying causes. While you may not be able to completely restore normal arch structure, the right combination of supportive footwear, orthotics, exercises, and medical care can significantly improve your comfort and foot function.
Don’t let flat feet limit your daily activities or cause ongoing foot pain. Schedule an appointment with us at Associated Foot Care Clinic to explore personalized treatment options that work for your specific situation. You can also follow our Facebook page for helpful foot care tips and check out our Yelp reviews to see how we’ve helped other patients achieve better foot health.
