Flat Feet
1. What is it ?
Flat feet, also known as pes planus, occur when the foot arch collapses such that the soles of the feet come to complete or near-complete contact with the ground.
The arch of your foot plays an important role in lower limb biomechanics; it helps propel the body over the foot during walking whilst also assisting in shock absorption. Flat feet can often with asymptomatic.
2. Causes
- Age
- Overuse, and wear and tear
- Injury to foot and ankle
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Ligament laxity, such as in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Other conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy
3. Signs and Symptoms
- Achy tired feet
- Muscle cramps and aches
- Stiffness in feet
- Knee, hip and back pain.
4. Treatment
- Custom-made orthoses
- Footwear modification
- Joint mobilization
- Exercise therapy: including strengthening exercises for the feet
- In certain circumstances (i.e. a rigid flat foot), surgery which is rare.
