Flat feet are seen in people with very low or no arches on either one or both feet, so the soles of the feet are flat on the ground. The period in which a person has flat feet is when he is a baby, but when he reaches the age of 5-6 years, the arch will begin to form.
Flat feet are not a problem for most people, but unlike other normal feet, flat feet can affect the alignment of a person's body when standing, walking, or running. This causes them to experience pain in the hips, knees, or ankles. The types of flat feet are:
1. Flexible Flat Feet
It is the most common type, in which the arch in the foot disappears when standing and is less noticeable when not standing. Flexible flat feet appear in childhood or adolescence and can affect both feet. This condition can worsen with age, resulting in tearing or swelling of the tendons and ligaments.
2. Rigid Flat Feet
It is a type of rigid flat foot, where the arch in the foot is not visible either when standing or sitting. Like the flexible type, this condition develops during adolescence and worsens with age. The stiffness makes moving the leg up, down, or side to side difficult.
3. Adult-acquired (Fallen Arch)
This type of flat foot occurs as an adult where the arch in the foot suddenly drops. When the arch drops downward, the foot tends to rotate outward and can be painful. A common cause of this condition is inflammation or a tear in the foot's tendons that support the arch.
4. Vertical Talus
It is a congenital disability, so it does not form a curve at birth but instead looks like the bottom of a rocking chair. This condition occurs because the talus bone in the ankle is in the wrong position.
Flat Feet Impact
A person with flat feet may feel pain due to tight muscles. The most common symptom is pain in the ankles, arches, heels, knees, hips, lower back, or lower legs. This pain can affect how you walk and wear the shoe's sole unevenly. Another possible symptom is the front of the foot and toes pointing outward.
Flat feet can cause foot pain in the soles, arches, knees, or heels
Causes and Risk Factors
Hereditary factors may cause the condition of flat feet. In addition, it can be due to having experienced an injury to the foot or ankle, being overweight, which causes stress on the arch of the foot, rheumatoid arthritis, damage to the tibialis posterior tendon, disease of the muscles or nervous system (spina bifida), unusual union of the foot bones, and overuse legs.
Certain conditions can develop flat feet, such as tendon injuries, bone fractures, cerebral palsy, diabetes, Down syndrome, hypertension, obesity, pregnancy, and foot trauma. The development of flat feet can occur in childhood, as you get older, or after pregnancy.
Flat feet can run-in-families
Diagnosis
Not everyone with flat feet will feel pain or other symptoms, so there is no need to see a doctor. But when the condition suddenly appears or causes pain, then immediately consult. The doctor will evaluate the shape of the feet when standing, sitting, and walking. If needed, X-rays can be done to see the bone structure.
Treatment
In order to treat symptoms, a person may be advised to do specific foot exercises, heel stretches, and use a golf ball on the sole for rolling over. Treatment can also include foot orthotics, foot braces, or specially-made shoes. When it's painful or painful, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
So, flat feet are characterized by very low arches or none at all. Easily, the soles of the feet look flat on the ground. The impact of this condition is pain in areas of the body, although not everyone experiences it. Treatment is unnecessary when there are no symptoms, but consult a doctor if it hurts. Let's read other Fitie articles!