Flat Feet
What are Flat feet?
Having flat feet, also known as flatfoot, is a condition where one or both feet have little to no arch.
All babies have flat feet at birth. Arches typically form by age 6. About two out of 10 children still have flat feet as adults
Flat feet do not always cause pain, but if flat feet cause pain or other problems, treatments can help.
What are the types of flat feet:
Flat feet: can pose problems whether they persist after childhood or develop in adulthood. The types of flatfeet include:
Flexible: Flexible flat feet are the most common. You can see the arches in the feet when you aren’t standing. The arches disappear when you put weight on the feet. Flexible flatfoot comes on during childhood or the teen years.
Rigid: A person with rigid flat feet has no arches when standing (putting weight on the feet) or sitting (no weight on the feet). This condition often develops during the teen years and gets worse with age.
Adult-acquired (fallen arch): With an adult-acquired flat foot (fallen arch), the foot’s arch unexpectedly drops or collapses. The fallen arch causes the foot to turn outward and can be painful. The problem may affect only one foot. The most common cause is inflammation or a tear in the leg tendon (posterior tibial tendon) that supports the arch.
What causes flat feet?
Having flat feet may be in your genes, or some people develop flat feet later in life. The condition sometimes runs in families. And certain problems increase your risk of flat feet, including:
- Achille’s tendon injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Obesity.
- Pregnancy.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Weak arches
- Postural problems with feet and ankles
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
Many people with flat feet don’t experience pain or other problems. But certain types of flatfoot can be painful. Symptoms may include:
- Leg cramps.
- Muscle pain(aching or fatigue) in the foot or leg.
- Pain in the arch, ankle, heel or outside of the foot.
- Pain when walking or changes in your gait (how you walk).
- Toe drift (front part of the foot and toes point outward).
How Can The Podiatry Experts Help?
Orthotics: Our specialists can provide you with orthotics which are custom-made especially to your feet. With the Orthotics help, it can help improve the alignment of your feet.
Choosing The Correct Footwear: At The Podiatry Experts, we can advise you on the best footwear for everyday use. It is important that footwear can not only support your foot with every stride but provide comfort in everyday use.
What you should do next?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of Achilles Tendon pain, then it is highly recommended to book a biomechanical appointment straight away.
It is easy to book with us- fill out our online form and we schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We will discuss with you the best possible solutions for your foot pain
It is important to remember not to delay in sorting the foot problem out soon possible as it will worsen and cause more pain. Make sure to schedule an appointment with us today.
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