The adult human foot
has a natural arch on the inner side in the middle. When the foot is placed on
the floor the part of the foot on the curve will not touch the floor. The arch
is caused by the tendons that attach the foot and heel bones. The arch adds to the flexibility of the foot. When the
arch or curve is not present or is very slight, a person is said to have flat
feet or fallen arches.
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Image Courtesy : https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Adult_Flatfoot.JPG
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Check
if you have Flat Feet?
There is a simple way to check if your feet are flat:
·
Get the soles of your feet
completely wet
·
With the soles wet, stand on
a flat surface where the print made by the wet feet will be easily visible.
·
If the footprints show the
complete sole of the feet with no dry area where the arch should be keeping
that part of the foot above the floor, you probably have flat feet.
If you think you have flat feet or are not sure about it, consult a foot and ankle specialist to have the condition
evaluated and treated, if required.
The
Causes
There are a number of possible reasons why
you may have flat feet. These include:
·
An abnormality that has been
present since birth.
·
An abnormality that has been
present since birth.
·
The posterior tibial tendon
which connects from the lower leg may be
inflamed or damaged.
·
Broken or improperly healed
bones in the feet or dislocated bones.
·
A condition affecting the
nerves located in the feet,
·
Other health conditions like
rheumatoid arthritis.
·
Obesity.
·
Pregnancy.
·
Diabetes.
·
Aging.
The
Symptoms
Fallen arches often create no problems and
require no treatment. In many cases,
people go through their lives not knowing that they have flat feet. However, in
some cases the following symptoms may manifest themselves:
·
Feet that become tired
quickly even when the stress on them has been minimal.
·
Painful feet with the pain
typically focused on the arches and heels
·
Swelling of the inside
bottom of the feet.
·
Some movements, such as
standing on the toes, becomes difficult and/or painful.
·
Recurring pain in the back
or legs.
The
Treatment
Flat feet often require no treatment and a
person with fallen arches is able to live a completely normal life without the
condition affecting him or her in any way. However, if the condition is causing problems that affect a person’s
mobility, then a doctor will recommend a
course of treatment. This could be:
·
Wearing special shoes or
orthotic devices.
·
Stretching exercises.
·
Physical therapy.
·
Medication to relieve pain
and inflammation.
·
A combination of any or all
of the above.
·
In the most severe cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to
correct the arch. There are a number of possible procedures and the doctor will
decide what is best for the condition.
If you do have flat feet, there is no cause
for concern. It is a very common problem and very rarely has any effect on a person’s mobility or quality of
life. All the same, you should consult a foot specialist
to ensure that other complications do not develop and that you are able to
remain active and healthy with no complications.
