Flat Feet

What are Flat Feet? 

Also known as pes planus or fallen arches, flat feet are a condition where the arches of the inside of one’s foot are flat. This results on one’s entire sole touching the floor when one stands up. Quite a common condition, having flat feet usually doesn’t cause any problems. 

Who gets Flat Feet?

All babies have flat feet when they are born. Gradually they develop arches around six to seven years of age when the baby fat between foot bones reduces and joint connections get stronger. Some continue to have flat feet right into adulthood. Sometimes, an adult may develop flat feet after an injury or after age related wear and tear.

What are the Types of Flat Feet?

  • Flexible: This common type of flat feet is usually seen in childhood. Here the arches are visible when one is sitting or standing on tip toes and disappears when one puts weight on the feet while standing.
  • Rigid: This usually develops in teenage and may worsen thereafter with age. Here the arches are seen neither while standing nor while sitting.
  • Adult Acquired: This is a condition in which an adult loses their arch commonly due to a tear or swelling in the leg tendon (a fibrous cord that attaches a muscle to a bone) which usually supports the arch.
  • Vertical Talus: This is a birth defect in which a bone in the ankle (called the talus) is in the wrong position.

What causes Flat Feet?

Flat feet may run in families. Certain conditions put you at risk for developing flat feet:

  • Injuries of the Achilles Tendon (a fibrous cord that joins the calf muscles to the feet) or Posterior Tibial Tendon (this one connects the calf muscles to the inside of one’s ankle)
  • Fractures
  • Cerebral Palsy / Down’s Syndrome / Muscular Dystrophy
  • Diabetes
  • Raised Blood Pressure
  • Obesity / Pregnancy
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

What are the symptoms of Flat Feet?

Most people with flat feet do not have any pain. Some types of flat feet can have the below symptoms:

  • Cramps in legs / feet that tire easily
  • Pain in muscles of foot / ankle / arch / outside of foot which may worsen with activity
  • Swelling may be seen on the inside of the foot
  • Change in style of walking (gait)
  • Outward pointing of the front of the foot and toes (Toe drift)

In case you have any of the above symptoms or if your flat feet have developed suddenly, you should see an Orthopaedic Doctor. 

How are Flat Feet diagnosed?

Flat feet are diagnosed by analysing the arches of one’s foot while standing, sitting or walking. Your doctor may also look at the soles of your shoes to check for unusual patterns. They will also test the strength of your muscles and tendons. Your Orthopaedic Doctor may ask you to get X Rays, CT scans, Ultrasound or MRI done if they need to look at the bones or tendons. 

Just looking at your foot from the side will help you know if you have flat feet. You can also perform this small test to see if you have flat feet:

Wet your feet and stand on a flat surface where your footprint will be seen like a dark coloured floor. Look at your foot prints. If they’re complete imprints of your soles, then you may have flat feet.

How can you prevent flat feet?

Most flat feet cannot be prevented. However you can undertake certain measures to prevent it from worsening like reducing your weight if you are obese and wearing well fitting shoes to prevent excess pain. 

How are Flat Feet treated?

Most people with painless flat feet do not need any treatment. If you experience pain or stiffness you may be advised icing, rest or painkiller medications, physiotherapy to strengthen your tendons and muscles and to improve flexibility. If your flat feet are caused by shortened Achilles tendon, stretching exercises may be advised. Sometimes, supportive devices like arch supports may be advised by your Orthopaedic Doctor to help with the symptoms. Dr. Mandar Agashe, Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Agashe Hospital says, “While these may help with the symptoms, insoles and exercises cannot actually alter the shape of one’s feet.” If your flat feet are caused by a tear in your tendon, surgery may be needed to create an arch, repair torn tendons, fuse bones or remove bony outgrowths.

Expert Moderator: Dr. Mandar Agashe, Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon | Author: Dr. Amrita Sodhi

Note: All content presented on this website is intended for informational purpose only. The information on this website should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment without an examination by a medical practitioner.