Pes planus – better known as flat feet – are fairly common. And while they were once thought to be merely a nuisance, medical professionals now know they can be much more serious.
The most common foot deformity known, flat feet occur when your foot does not have an arch when you stand. Nearly 60 million Americans, around 25 percent of the U.S. population, have flat feet according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.
“(It’s) more of an issue during physical activities, such as running, because the arch of your foot tends to support 2-3 times your body weight during higher impact exercises,” said Danae Brown, a physical therapist with St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine’s Florence office. “It can cause problems at the ankle, heel and all the way up the chain into the knee, hip and lower back, which can lead to issues like runners’ knee, IT band syndrome, shin splints, tendonitis and much more.”
Causes
Flat feet may be an inherited condition, but in many cases are the result of the wear and tear of age or other physical factors like injury, arthritis, diabetes or a stroke. Another common cause is a tight Achilles tendon associated with diabetes or your weight, which causes your foot to naturally elongate by stretching your arch.
Over time, they can lead to other problems like heel and foot pain, weakening and pain in your ankles or even radiate upwards into knee, hip or back problems.
Treatment
As many causes as there are for flat feet, there are as many treatments. The most common is the use of orthotics, molded padding for your heal or feet to help balance your foot into a more natural position.
- Orthotics. Many companies market over-the-counter orthotics, with some even providing in-store technology kiosks to help you select the right inserts for your feet. They are comparatively inexpensive to individually formed inserts, though for some the physician-guided inserts, made especially for your feet, are a better fit and are more effective.
- Exercises. In some cases, specially designed workouts can help you strengthen your foot, loosen calf muscles and stretch your Achilles tendon to help alleviate your problem. Some people who are used to a more active lifestyle may choose more intensive strength and conditioning programs. In either case, consult a doctor to see if physical therapy can help you and which exercises to do”There is not a set of cookie cutter exercises to treat flat feet,” says Brown. “A thorough evaluation is best to determine what exercises are appropriate for each individual.”
- Surgery. While extremely rare, your doctor may decide on a surgical option if other therapies don’t work.
If your flat feet are related to another condition, other treatments may be needed. The important thing, though, is to a get doctor’s opinion. “The best thing you can do is to listen to your body and seek treatment if you have pain,” said Brown.
