Dealing With Flat Feet

A normal adult foot has an upward curve in the middle when you look at it from the inside. This is what we call an ‘arch’. Tight bands (tendons) attach at the heel and foot bones, forming the arch. Several tendons in your foot as well as your lower leg work together in forming the arches in your foot. When the right amount is pulled, then a normal arch is formed. However, if tendons do not pull together appropriately, there would be little or no arch – this is now called flat foot.

Causes of Flat Feet

In adults, flat feet can arise due to a variety of causes:

*An abnormality present since birth

*Torn or stretched tendons

*Inflammation or damage of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT)

*Dislocated or broken bones

*Nerve problems

*Health conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)

*Obesity

*Aging

*Pregnancy

*Diabetes

Symptoms of Flat Feet

There are people who do not notice any problems, but for those who do, they experience:

*Painful or achy feet (most especially in the arches and heels)

*Easily tired feet

*Swollen insides of the feet

*Foot movements are difficult to attain (standing on your toes, etc.)

*Leg and back pain

The moment you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to see a podiatrist at the soonest possible time.

Prevention/Pain Management of Flat Feet:

If you can’t visit your podiatrist just yet, here are some ways you can relieve the pain brought about by flat feet:

*Apply ice on the swollen areas of your feet. You should also provide ample periods of rest.

*Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen can also help in easing the pain temporarily.

*Steer away from activities that put pressure on your feet (running on concrete roads).

*High-impact sports such as soccer, hockey, tennis and basketball should be avoided.

*Address risk factors that can make flat feet worse such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

*Wear the right footwear based on the activity you will be doing.

*When the pain you are experiencing gets severe and it interferes with your daily activities, make sure you see your podiatrist immediately.

Contact Sheldon H. Nadal, D.P.M. for all your concerns regarding flat feet. If you want to know what the treatment options are, he can also provide you a thorough explanation.