Flat feet
Why are flat feet a problem?
Feet aid the rest of the body especially the lower back by absorbing the shock of the heel striking the ground, adapting to uneven terrain and moving the body in the desired direction. Flat feet are generally less efficient at these tasks, which can lead to pain or other symptoms in the legs, pelvis, back and even into the neck.
Flat feet can be bad news for sports people too since a flat foot is less able to change direction quickly and require a lot more effort from the rest of the body for movement and stability.
There are many different reasons why feet are flat such as:
The position of the skeleton
When we are born the bones in our feet have barely developed and the skeleton in our lower limbs is twisted to enable easy passage through the birth canal. As we develop the skeleton slowly alters in shape, strength and position as we learn to crawl, stand at walk. When we first start walking we have flat feet in order to provide the body with a more stable base. As our walking improves our musculoskeletal system strengthens and changes position, the feet should change shape and become less flat. In some cases the feet remain flat as the skeleton of either the feet or leg does not change.
Weakness in the ligaments and tendons
The main arch of the foot is supported by formed by a series of joints, bones, ligaments and muscles. If the ligaments and muscles become weak through lack of exercise, illness or trauma then the skeletal structure becomes unstable and the arch becomes less pronounced. In children with abnormally loose ligaments or weak muscles unless they receive treatment will have flat feet as adult.
Tight tendons
In order to compensate for tight tendons the foot will sometimes twist in, flattening the arch.
Why see a Podiatrist Specialising in Biomechanics?As there are many reasons why feet are flat, it is fundamental to determine the cause of the flat feet. Only by establishing the cause of the flat feet can appropriate treatment be given. Incorrect treatment can exacerbate symptoms and musculoskeletal deformity. A podiatrist can prescribe the necessary exercise or stretches to improve foot function. In some cases orthoses are needed in the shoes, to encourage the foot to adapt a more normal function, these are not arch supports but they help the foot support itself.