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Subscribe RSSFlat foot (pes planus) is the condition, in which the longitudinal foot arch is so flattened, that the entire foot is supported on the ground. This arch is filled with adipose tissue in childchood, so each of us had flat foot when we were children. However, as the foot ligaments get stronger, the foot arch starts to form.
The foot arch is normal when – putting the wet foot on a flat surface we see the empty space between the heel and the foot thenar on the imprint. The line along the external foot margin is also acceptable.
On the imprints of patients with pes planus, there is no empty space. A flat foot with normal arch does not usually cause the problems, which are common in case of structural flat foot. In the latter case, due to abnormal order of foot bones and inexistence of foot arch, the patient may experience walking difficulties. These pathologies usually develop between 8 and 16 years of age.
Flat foot – treatment
In many cases, pes planus does not require any treatment. However, in some pathologies being the result of neglecting during childhood, surgical correction may be necessary. The above is also true for flat foot due to abnormal order of foot bones or their abnormal growth.
The best managament of flat foot involves exercises. They are not tiring, but must be done on a regular basis.
- Grasping a bean bag with one’s toes,
- rolling the ball,
- walking on the outer edges of the feet
are only some of them. One should never be afraid of walking barefoot on the grass of sand.
Advanced flat foot may be treated using therapeutic insoles, preferably after prior orthopaedic consultation. Badly fitted insoles may harm our feet rather than help them. In some cases it may turn out that wearing special orthopaedic shoes is necessary. Kinesiotherapy may help in flat foot treatment.
The other factors that contribute to foot arch flattening are: obesity, fractures, arthritis, and occupation which requires a prolonged standing posture. We should carefully choose footwear for ourselves. The shoes should be comfortable, not too tight, preferably 1 cm longer than the foot, with wide toe boxes and profiled inserts.