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As we get older, we deal with various aches and pains, and some are worse than others. I’ve dealt with shoulder, ankle, and knee pains for most of my life. Now I’m dealing with the effects of having flat feet. Flat feet are when you have no visible arch in your foot when you stand. For the past few months, this continues to cause pain and at times it’s unbearable. There are many reasons someone can get flat feet. Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, broken bones, and pregnancy are amongst the problems that can cause flat feet. Some symptoms include leg cramps, muscle pain and pain in the arch, ankle, or heel. It has been said that flat feet is common and about 30% of the people deal with it. Below you can find great and useful information regarding flat feet.
What Are Some Treatments for Flat Feet?
You can try some stretching exercises. There are some exercises that can help stretch that tendon that could help. Arch support is also good for flat feet. Some people will try an orthotic device, but others favor insoles for flat feet. Arch supports won’t cure flatfeet, but they often reduce symptoms. Physical therapy is another option for treatment also. A physical therapist can provide exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons in the feet and guidance to improve gait. If all else fails, surgery could be your best option. Surgery doesn’t correct flat feet, but it’s the best option if the pain limits activities in your life.
Types of Flat Feet
Flexible
Flexible flat feet are the most common type. You can see the arches in your feet when you aren’t standing. The arches disappear when you put weight on your feet. Flexible flatfoot comes on during childhood or the teen years. It affects both feet and gradually gets worse with age. Tendons and ligaments in the arches of the feet can stretch, tear and swell.
Vertical Talus
This happens to some babies that are born with a birth defect called vertical talus. It prevents the arches from forming because the talus bone in the ankle is in the wrong position. The bottom of the foot resembles the bottom of a rocking chair.
Fallen Arch
My wife experienced this a couple years ago. This happens when the foot unexpectedly drops or collapses. It happened while at work and she almost took a fall as a result. The fallen arch causes the foot to turn outward and can be painful. The problem may affect only one foot. The most common cause is inflammation or a tear in the leg tendon that supports the arch.
Rigid
A person with rigid flat feet has no arches when standing or sitting. This condition often develops during the teen years and gets worse with age. Your feet may feel painful. It can be difficult to flex the feet up or down or move them side-to-side. Flatfoot may affect one foot or both.
