If you have flat feet, you may wonder how you got flat feet. You probably don’t know that the condition of having flat feet is also known as Pes planus, fallen arches, and pronation of feet. It is a condition that can appear in childhood or in the elderly. If you have flat feet, you also have probably looked at he bottom of your foot and realize it isn’t exactly flat after all! So what are flat feet and what are the causes of flat feet? Here are some answers to those questions and more.
What does flat feet mean?
The term flat feet refers to when the arch of the foot comes in contact with the surface that the person is standing on. The arch in the foot doesn’t develop normally or later in life the arch falls and the instep (arch) is collapsed. It is a common condition.
Who gets flat feet?
Babies and infants have flat feet and the arch develops, as they get older. Some children never develop arches in their feet. This accounts for about 205 to 30% of the cases of flat feet. Elderly people in their 70’s and 80’s may develop flat feet. When this happens, it is usually in just one foot.
What causes flat feet?
One of the causes of flat feet is that the foot never develops an arch as a child. Other causes include injury, illness, prolonged stress on the foot, unusual stress on the foot, pregnancy, and arthritis.
How are flat feet treated?
If there is no pain or discomfort from the flat feet, there is no need for treatment. If the flat feet are causing pain it the back, legs, and knees, then a doctor should be contacted. A gradual building up of material in an insert in a shoe is often all that is needed to help relieve the discomfort. Rarely is surgery ever done to correct the problem.
A walking or fitness shoe with a supportive arch can make walking more comfortable and relieve stress on the body for someone who has flat feet. Inserts can be added to shoes that don’t have a supported arch.
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