Flat foot is a condition in which the foot lacks the normal amount of arch. This condition is sometimes also referred to as fallen arches. Most people have an arch along the bottom of the foot; it creates an open space between the bottom of your foot and the ground. Imagine that you are at the beach. When you step into the sand, can you see the entire outline of your foot? Or is there a space in the midsection of your foot where your footprint isn’t visible?
Normally, a person has a bit of arch, which causes the footprint in the sand to look more like a crescent shape. Sometimes, though, a person may have flat foot, which means that there is little or no space between the bottom of the foot’s arch and the ground.
It is possible to have flat foot without experiencing any pain or symptoms. Many people who have flat foot do experience foot pain, though. When your feet don’t have the support of a proper arch, there is excessive strain on the soft tissues in your feet. As you most likely already know, this will make your feet sore. It doesn’t only affect the feet, though. Without proper arch support, a flat foot can cause the ankles to roll inward. People with flat foot often experience pain in their ankles and knees, in addition to the feet.
Flat Foot Symptoms
If you have flat foot, you may experience pain in your ankles, calves, knees, hips, or back, in addition to foot pain. Your feet may feel stiff or swell. Many people who have flat foot also notice that their shoes wear unevenly.
What Causes Flat Foot?
Flat foot seems to have a hereditary component. If you have flat foot, it may be that one of your parents has flat foot, as well.
Weak arches in the feet can contribute to flat foot, too. Take a look at your foot when you are sitting down and not placing any weight on the foot. Do you see an arch? Sometimes, an arch is visible when not under pressure, but disappears when a person stands up.
Flat foot can also develop as a side effect of conditions such as arthritis, pregnancy, and diabetes. Most people get flat foot as they get older. Years’ worth of strain on the feet can be too much for your arches to handle.
Coping With Flat Foot
If you have flat foot, don’t worry. There are plenty of things that you can do to cope with this condition and relieve the pain that you have been experiencing. First of all, you need to make sure that you always wear shoes that are supportive and fit properly. You can certainly benefit from wearing orthotic devices or custom arch supports inside your shoes. These provide the arch support that your feet lack. Wear supportive shoes with orthotics or custom arch supports regularly, and you will likely make a huge difference in your pain levels.
If your feet are hurting, give them a break. Pay attention to the things that trigger your pain. If you find that your feet always hurt after certain activities, then try to avoid those activities. When you do have pain, you can reduce the inflammation levels in your feet and decrease pain by elevating the feet and applying ice.
If you have flat foot pain, visit Foot Solutions. We will help you find shoes and Custom Arch Supports that give your feet the support that they need. Stop in to Foot Solutions to learn more today.
