What to do about Flat Feet?

What is flat feet?

Flat feet, also known as pes planus, is a common foot type and occurs in people of all races. Pes Planus is a medical term to describe individuals who have little or no arch support where the entire sole of the foot will come into contact with the ground.

What causes flat feet?

There are many ways a person can develop flatfeet. It can be congenital, where people are born with them, usually due to genetics, or acquired by dysfunction of tendons or laxity in ligaments that help support the structure of the arch.

What problems can arise from having flat feet?



Not everybody who has flat feet will develop pain or deformities of the lower extremities but there are pathologies of the feet that are more commonly seen with pes planus including:

·Bunions

·Plantar fasciitis

·Hammertoes

·Posterior tibial tendonitis

·Achilles tendonitis

·Arch pain

Many of the above issues are the more common reasons a person would need to see a podiatrist for care and they are fortunately some of the most successfully treated problems.

What can be done about flat feet?

A common modality to treat symptomatic flat feet and prevent issues that may develop are orthotics.Over the counter orthotics that can be bought at a common drugstore are a great start to supporting the arch but a custom device may be needed depending on your foot.An orthotic may not prevent one of the above deformities from occurring but they will help slow the progression and treat symptomatic pain.

·Other treatments that can also be used include:

·Padding

·Splints

·Modification of activities

·Braces and brief periods of immobilization

Does it require surgery?



A surgical procedure should only be considered when any of the above conditions are affecting necessary activities and more conservative treatments have failed.