Flat feet, or fallen arches, are a common foot condition in which the arch of the foot has either partially or totally dropped, resulting in the entire sole making contact with the ground while standing. About 20 to 30 percent of the population has flat feet because their arches never fully formed during growth, while others develop the condition later in life.
Flexible vs. Rigid Flatfoot
Flatfoot is generally classified into two types:
- Flexible flatfoot, sometimes called "pediatric flatfoot," is present when an arch appears while sitting or standing on the toes, but disappears once the entire foot is placed on the ground. It first appears in childhood and is common among infants because the arch does not fully develop until around age 5 or 6.
- Rigid flatfoot shows no arch even when the person is not bearing weight. It is less common in children than in adults and often develops due to weakening of the tibialis posterior tendon, a major supporting structure of the foot's arch. This form tends to be progressive, starting with pain and swelling at the inside of the arch that can move toward the outside of the foot below the ankle. Severe, longstanding cases can eventually lead to arthritis of the foot and ankle joints.
What Causes Flat Feet?
Genetics plays a major role — individuals with a family history of flat feet are more likely to inherit the trait from birth, and hereditary connective tissue conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome can also affect the structure and alignment of the foot's bones, tendons, and ligaments.
Other causes and risk factors include:
- Injury or trauma to the foot
- Pregnancy, due to increased ligament elasticity
- Obesity, which places additional stress on the arch
- Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, which can weaken the foot's supportive structures
- Prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces
- Wearing unsupportive footwear
Symptoms of Flat Feet
Many people with flat feet experience no symptoms at all and require no treatment. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Pain around the heel or arch area
- Toe drift, where the toes and front of the foot point outward
- A shortened Achilles tendon
- A heel that tilts outward while the ankle tilts inward
- Trouble standing on your toes
- Swelling around the inside of the ankle
- Pain radiating to the shin, knee, hip, or lower back due to changes in alignment
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect that you have flat feet, your podiatrist will examine the foot, observe how it looks while you sit and stand, and may order an X-ray to determine how advanced the condition is.
Treatment depends on whether symptoms are present and how severe they are. Options can include:
- Custom orthotic devices or arch supports to reduce pain
- Supportive shoes, while avoiding unsupportive styles such as sandals
- Stretching the Achilles tendon properly
- Weight loss, to reduce stress placed on the arches
- Activity modification for flexible flatfoot that causes pain
- Surgery, in rare and severe cases where all other treatment options have been exhausted; this is generally avoided due to a lengthy recovery time and cost
If you have discomfort related to flat feet, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an examination and personalized treatment options. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office located in Marietta, GA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Request an appointment with Choice Podiatry Center today.