My foot is flat. Is that a problem?

My foot is flat. Is that a problem?

Flatfoot syndrome is a common and normal variant in our population. A flat foot implies your foot does not have a normal arch when you are standing. With low or no arch, your feet may appear to be flat on the ground. This condition may result in pain if it progresses or with strenuous physical activity.

Symptoms

The feet are the foundation of the body. Therefore the feet must be healthy. If you have a flat foot, there is a tendency for you to have poor posture, poor ergonomics and poor balance.

For most patients with flatfoot syndrome, pain is the commonest complaint. The pain is usually felt over the inner arch of the foot, sometimes radiating up to the inner aspect of the ankle. Aside from pain, patient may have other symptoms ;

• Swelling over the inner ankle
• Stiffness of the feet or tightness of the calves
• Difficulty pushing off when walking or standing on tip-toes
• The collapse of the foot arch while standing, walking, or running. This condition is known as overpronation.
• Unequal distribution of the body weight with overload across the inside of the foot. This could predispose to bunion deformities or plantar fasciitis.

Causes

The most common causes of flat feet are as follows:

• Genetics: Children ma inherit a predisposition for flatfeet
• Ankle or Foot Injury: If an injury is sustained in the foot or ankle during activity, it might result in a flat foot as a result of tendon / ligament damage
• Overpronation of the foot with poor footwear support
• Tarsal Coalition – a condition whereby the bones of the foot joins together which results in stiff and flat feet.
• Nervous System Disorder – cerebral palsy, spinal Bifida, etc.
• Muscle Diseases – muscular dystrophy, etc.
• Posterior Tibial Tendon Rupture

Factors that increase your risks of flatfeet

These factors are capable of increasing your risk of flatfeet

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Foot or ankle injury
• Aging and degeneration
• Pregnancy

Types of Flat Feet

Flat feet is classified into three types. They are:

Flexible Flat Foot

This is the most common form of flat foot. The arches appear only appear when you raise them from the floor. When you place your feet on the ground, your sole fully touches the floor. This form of the flat foot starts from infancy. Often, it does not cause pain and may be a normal variant.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

This frequently occurs during adulthood. It is caused as a result of the damaged, swollen or torn tendon which connects the calf muscle to the ankle. You are likely to feel severe pains on the inside and outside of your foot if the arch does not get sufficient support it needs. This condition is likely to affect one or both feet, depending on the cause.

Rigid flatfeet

This is typically caused by a long history of flexible flatfeet where the deformity has progressed. The joints have been deformed for so long and eventually become arthritic, rigid and fixed. The Achilles tendon becomes contracted and this worsens the deformity. Pain, swelling and walking difficulty become more consistent

Flat feet don’t usually cause problems

It is recorded that about 25 percent of American adults have a flat foot condition. Having a flat foot is not a severe problem if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort. No treatment is needed for this condition if you are not feeling pain or discomfort in your foot. However, you may have a poor posture if you have flat feet.

Treatment for Flat Feet

If you are feeling some discomfort or pain in your feet when walking, running, or standing, you need to see an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist for treatment.Some of the treatments which can be recommended by the specialists are:

Therapy

• Physical Therapy – this will help to improve your walking pattern (gait ), your Achilles length ( which perpetuates the deformity ) and local ultrasound theraoy which helps reduce the swelling.
• Customized Arch Supports – these are also called orthotic devices. These help to relieve the pain by externally supporting the arch

• Shoe Supports – Supportive and well-fitted shoes provide support and are more comfortable to wear than casual shoes or sandals

• Exercises – a short Achilles tendon can be stretched through activities to slow down the progression of flat feet.

Personal Remedies

• Medications – pain relievers might help in reducing pain caused by flatfeet. Examples are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
• Rest – you need to reduce or avoid activities that can cause further damage or complications to your foot. Activities like walking, biking, or swimming are recommended instead of jumping and running.
• Reduce standing for an extended period.

Diet

There are some personal changes you need to effect to reduce feet pains. As you know, obesity is a factor that increases the risk of flatfeet. Your doctor may recommend a diet program to ensure weight loss. This will automatically reduce the pressure on your feet.

Surgery
Having a flatfoot reconstruction surgery is the last option if simple non-operative measures have failed to cure your symptoms. An arch may be created in your feet by your orthopedic surgeon. Concurrently, lengthening of the tight tendon and fusion of selected joint segments may be necessary.

Managing your symptoms from a Flat Foot Condition

Slowing down the progression is the name of the game. In most instances, wearing an arch support and supportive running shoes will help alleviate a significant component of pain. However, if the pain recurs with your functional or even recreational activity, it is best to consult with Dr. Gowreeson