Flat feet, a common yet often misunderstood condition, can impact your life in unexpected ways. Let's delve into the world of flat feet, exploring its causes, symptoms, and potential treatments, to better understand this intriguing aspect of human anatomy.
Flat feet only need treatment if they cause discomfort, indicate an underlying disorder, or lead to pain elsewhere in the body.
Many people with flat feet have no symptoms, but others will experience a variety of symptoms that generally depend on the severity of the condition. When flat feet do cause symptoms, simple devices and exercises can help to minimize the discomfort.
Heel cord stretching
The aim of heel cord stretching is to stretch the Achilles tendon and posterior calf muscles
- Stand facing a wall and place one hand on the wall at eye level.
- Place the leg that needs stretching approximately one step behind the other leg, and plant the heel firmly on the ground.Bend the knee of the front leg until you feel a stretch in the back leg. Repeat nine more times.
The golf ball roll
This exercise requires a chair and a golf ball. Sit on the chair with your feet firmly on the ground. Place the golf ball under the foot, and roll it forward and back under the arch of the foot for 2 minutes to stretch the plantar fascia ligament.
Symptoms and Treatment
The most common symptom of flat feet is pain in the feet. This can occur as a result of strained muscles and connecting ligaments.
- One or both feet may also feel stiff. Flat feet can also cause an uneven distribution of body weight which may result in shoes wearing down unevenly or more quickly than usual.
Causes
Common causes of flat feet include: genetic factors, as flat feet can pass from parents to children in the genes
- Weak arches, meaning that the arch is visible when a person sits but the foot flattens onto the ground when they stand
- Foot or ankle injury
- Damage, dysfunction, or rupture of the posterior tibial tendon
- Tarsal coalition
- Flat feet can also occur as a result of a developmental fault that occurs during childhood or that develops with age or after pregnancy
