Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and looked at the soles of your feet? Some people have a beautiful curve, or arch, on their feet. But some people don't have such a clear arch, and their soles seem to be pressed against the ground. Today we're going to talk about this condition called "flat feet," or as doctors call it, "Pes Planus." Don't worry, this is something that many people have.
Why is the arch of the foot important?
Think about it, when we walk and run, our feet support the weight of our entire body, right? So this arch in the sole of the foot plays a very important role. This is something that is unique to humans. This arch is made up of bones and the tissues that connect them. Look at what happens to this arch:
- When we walk , it acts like a spring , which means it absorbs shock.
- When we walk , we store energy and release it when needed .
- Sometimes we walk on uneven surfaces. In such cases, the sole of the foot helps to adapt to the surface .
- Protects the nerves and blood vessels in the sole of the foot.
Are there different types of flat feet? (Types of Pes Planus)
Yes, some doctors talk about two types of flat feet. One is a flat foot that is not a big problem, and the other is a condition called ``Pes Planus'', which is a condition where the flatness of the foot causes other changes.
``(Pes Planus)`` refers to a condition like this:
- The arch on the inside of your foot feels flat and like it's rubbing against the ground .
- This flat arch can cause your heel to turn outward and your ankle to bend inward .
- The talus bone on the inside of your foot can protrude forward.
Doctors also classify your flat feet as ``flexible'' or ``rigid'' . That is, whether they are flat only sometimes or always. They also look at whether the condition is ``congenital'' or ``acquired''.
Let's talk about a few main types:
- Flexible flat foot: This is the most common type . What happens is that when you are not standing (for example, sitting in a chair), the arch of your foot is visible, but when you stand, it disappears. Imagine, when Niluka swings her legs from a chair, she can see a nice curve in her foot, but when she stands on the ground, that curve is not visible at all and her foot completely touches the ground. That's how it is.
- Rigid flat foot: If you have this type, you won't see an arch in your foot when you're standing or sitting. You may also have difficulty rolling your foot up and down or side to side. This is a less common type .
- Congenital flat feet: Some babies are born with a birth defect that causes the arches of their feet to not develop properly. Some hereditary connective tissue disorders can also cause the arches to become weak and unable to maintain their shape.
- Acquired flat foot - "fallen arches": This is also called "progressive collapsing foot deformity". This condition can develop in adulthood, or after the natural arches of your feet have formed. Imagine, Uncle Sunil used to run well when he was young, and he had good arches in his feet. But as he got older, and gained a little weight, his feet gradually became flat, and now he says that even walking is a bit difficult. That's the situation.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
Not everyone with flat feet will experience symptoms. However, it can change the way you walk. It can also put extra pressure on areas of your lower body that aren't designed to bear weight.
Early symptoms may include:
- Pain in the soles of the feet after walking.
- Ankle pain occurs when the ankle bends inward too much (overpronation).
- Shin splints are caused by overcompensating certain muscles.
Over time, conditions like these may develop:
- Gait disorders and abnormalities.
- Deformities of the soles of the feet, such as bunions (swelling at the base of the big toe) or hammertoes (bends in the middle of the toes).
- Chronic pain that persists even when not walking.
You may also start to feel pain in places like these:
- Knees
- Hip area
- Lower back
Additionally, you may be at increased risk of developing secondary conditions such as:
- Repetitive strain injuries.
- Ankle instability and sprains.
- Foot and ankle arthritis.
What are the causes of flat feet (Pes Planus)?
Some causes of flat feet are congenital. That is, they are present at birth. Other causes occur later, after your arches have developed normally. This is called "gradual collapse deformity" or "fallen arches."
Congenital causes
Congenital `(Pes Planus)` is caused by certain conditions that are present at birth. In fact, all babies have flat feet at birth, but some babies never develop normal arches. This may be due to their genes . Because genes determine our physical characteristics.
Some families may have flatter arches than others. However, certain genetic disorders or defects can affect the way arches develop or prevent them from developing. Some of these conditions include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Clubfoot (club foot)
- Down syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Joint hypermobility syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (a disease in which bones break easily)
- Tarsal coalition (joint between the bones of the foot)
Acquired flat foot - "fallen arches" causes
Pes Planus is a condition that occurs when your arches flatten after they have formed normally. The collapse of the arches can occur gradually or suddenly. It can be caused by diseases and injuries. Some of these conditions include:
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: This is the most common cause . This important tendon becomes weak, torn, and unable to support the arch due to chronic tendonitis.
- Charcot foot: Diabetes-related nerve damage can cause the bones in the foot to break down and the supporting ligaments to become damaged. This can cause the arch to collapse.
- Arthritis: Degenerative and inflammatory types of arthritis can cause the joints in your feet to become swollen and deformed. This can affect the structure of the arches of your feet.
- Injury: Foot fractures or injuries to the ligaments in your foot can weaken your arch support. The supporting muscles can also weaken if you don't walk for a long time while an injury heals.
How do doctors diagnose Pes Planus?
An orthopedist or podiatrist can diagnose Pes Planus through a physical exam. They will look at the shape and position of your foot, how it moves, and how you stand and walk on it.
They will ask you about your health history, any previous injuries or other conditions that may have contributed to the condition. To confirm the diagnosis of Pes Planus and to further investigate the cause, they may also order imaging tests, such as an X-ray of the sole of the foot.
How do doctors treat flat feet?
Most people don't need any treatment for flat feet. If you don't have symptoms, there's no need to fix them. However, if you experience occasional, minor pain due to flat feet, you can manage it with simple things like:
- Painkillers that can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription, for example `NSAIDs` (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or paracetamol `(acetaminophen)` .
- Physical therapy exercises that stretch and strengthen your soles.
- Orthotic shoe inserts or other aids to help with walking.
Remember, it is very important to seek medical advice before doing these things.
However, if flat feet are persistent, cause significant pain, or cause other complications, further treatment may be necessary. Depending on the cause, some people may need surgery to correct the underlying problem.
Can flat feet be completely cured?
Sometimes, a recent, mild case of flat feet can be corrected with simple treatments. In more severe cases, surgery may be able to correct flat feet. However, some underlying causes are more difficult to treat.
If you have a chronic condition that contributes to flat feet, such as advanced diabetes, arthritis, or connective tissue disease, it may not always be possible to control the condition sufficiently to protect your arches.
Is it possible to live normally with flat feet?
Yes, you can! Most people with flat feet do not experience any significant symptoms or require treatment. However, if your flat feet are causing pain or other problems, your doctor may recommend non-surgical treatments.
Wearing special shoes and adding some exercise to your routine may be your new normal. But, if they don't help, don't stay silent . Some types of Pes Planus can get worse.
Can flat feet be prevented?
In most cases, there is nothing you can do to prevent flat feet. However, maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve the pain caused by flat feet.
Flat feet are common and most of the time, there's nothing to worry about. Young children with flat feet usually develop arches by the time they're about 10 years old . But sometimes that doesn't happen, and their flat feet can start to cause discomfort over time.
It is important to pay attention to your symptoms. Some types and causes of flat feet are more serious and can lead to more problems if left untreated. If you have symptoms, see an orthopedist or podiatrist for advice.
Final Take-Home Message
So, we've talked a lot about flat feet (Pes Planus), haven't we? Simply put:
- Flat feet are a condition where the arch of the foot is low or absent.
- This can be present from birth, or it can develop later.
- Not everyone gets symptoms, but some may experience pain and difficulty walking.
- There are two main types: flexible and rigid.
- There can be many reasons; things like genetic conditions, tendon problems, arthritis, injuries, etc.
- The diagnosis can be made through a medical examination and possibly an X-ray.
- Most people do not need treatment. Those who do need it can take painkillers, exercises, special shoe supports, and sometimes even surgery.
- The most important thing is to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing discomfort or pain. Don't worry, most of the time this condition can be managed well.
If you think you have a similar problem, don't be shy or afraid to seek medical advice. Stay healthy!
` Flat Feet, Pes Planus, Arch of the Foot, Foot Pain, Foot Diseases, Bone Joints, Physiotherapy
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