What Can Flat Toes Trigger? Symptom and Therapy of Flat Toes

Flat feet, also known as flatfoot, pes planus, pronated foot, and falling arches, is a physical abnormality that affects people in different ways.

When the arches on the inside of your feet flatten, the entire sole of your foot contacts, or almost touches, the ground when standing, you have flat feet.

What can flat feet cause? Flat feet can affect people of any age and can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics or insufficient growth over time. Flexible flatfoot is a common ailment in children that gets worse with age.

Flexible flatfoot affects both feet and is defined by a flat foot (arch giving way) when supporting the body yet arching when the foot is relaxed.

Flat feet can cause difficulties with the ankles and knees. If you don’t have any pain, though, there’s no need to treat flat feet.

5 Common Types of Flat Feet

#1. Flexible flat foot

Flexible flatfoot is a variation of a normal foot. The muscles and joints of the flexible flat footwork properly. The term “flexible” refers to the fact that while standing (weight-bearing), the arch returns when the foot is not.

The most frequent variety of flat feet in youngsters is the flexible flat foot. It normally does not cause any discomfort. The soft tissues around the bottom of the feet tighten as they grow and walk, gradually shaping the arches of the feet.

#2. Tight Achilles tendon

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse ailment of the Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon, which joins the calf muscles in the rear of the lower leg to the heel bone.

When walking or running, this ailment causes the heel to elevate prematurely. You may have pain when walking or jogging if it is excessively tight.

#3. Dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon

This sort of flat foot develops as an adult. One of the most prevalent foot and ankle ailments is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

When the posterior tibial tendon gets inflamed or ruptured, it causes this condition. As a result, the tendon may be unable to provide the arch of the foot with stability and support, resulting in flatfoot.

You may have the condition in one or both feet, depending on the etiology.

#4. Rigid

When standing (placing weight on the feet) or sitting, a person with rigid flat feet has no arches (no weight on the feet). This disorder usually begins in adolescence and worsens with age.

It’s possible that your feet are hurting. Flexing the feet up and down or moving them side to side can be challenging. Flatfoot can affect one or both feet.

#5. Vertical talus

Vertical talus is a birth condition (congenital handicap) that prevents arches from developing in some neonates. The talus bone in the ankle is positioned incorrectly.

The foot’s bottom looks like the bottom of a rocking chair. Rocker-bottom foot is another name for vertical talus.

***See More: What To Do About Dry Cracked Feet (2021 Guide)

Causes of Flat Feet

#1. Cause of Children’s flat feet

When children stand, their feet flatten because their bones and joints are flexible. The arch is also hidden by a fat pad on the inner border of a baby’s foot. As a result, many newborns are born with flat feet, which can last far into childhood.

When you hold your kid up on the tips of his toes, you can still see the arch, but it vanishes when he stands properly. Furthermore, the foot may turn out, putting more weight on the inner side and making it appear flattered.

In most cases, a child’s arches begin to develop in infancy and progress to regular arches as they grow.

Most cases of flat feet in children are heredity. However, other causes of children’s flat feet: 

• Ligament slackness
• Achilles tendon tightness
• Insufficient foot exercise

#2. Cause of Adult’s flat feet

Adults, unlike children, can develop flat feet as a result of an injury, a tight Achilles tendon, faulty joint formation, persistent stressors on the foot and its arch, or just aging.

Some of the most common causes of flat feet in adults are:

• Achilles Equinus contracture
• A coalition of rearfoot joints
• Failed or injured tendons
• Arthritis
• Marfan syndrome
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Overuse & strain
• Injury & fractures
• Age

***See More: What Is Capsulitis Of The Second Toe? How To Treat Them?[Expert Tips 2022]

Symptom of Flat Feet

What do flat feet look like? The symptoms alert you to the fact that you have flat feet.

The majority of people have no signs or symptoms of flat feet. Flat feet, on the other hand, can cause foot pain, especially in the heel and arch areas.

Pain may worsen as a result of physical exercise. Swelling on the inside of the ankle is also a possibility. Among the signs and symptoms are:

• Leg cramps are unpleasant.
• Muscle pain in the foot or leg (aching or weariness).
• Arch, ankle, heel, or outside of the foot pain
• Changes in your gait or pain while walking (how you walk).
• Drifting toes (front part of the foot and toes point outward).

What Can Flat Feet Cause?

• Soft tissue inflammation.
• Pain in the knees, hips, and lower back.
• Ankles rolled in.
• Shin splints.
• Bunions.
• Hammertoe.
• Arthritis.
• Plantar fasciitis.
• Dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon (PTTD).

***See More: How To Walk Correctly Feet? 7 Tips To Improve Your Step

How are Flat Feet Diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose you by assessing your symptoms and observing how your arches look when you stand, sit, and walk. X-rays may be taken to examine your bone structure.

Treatment of Flat Feet

#1. Flat feet’s Treatment for Children

Flat feet usually disappear by the age of six as the feet become less flexible and the arches form. Only roughly 1 or 2 out of every 10 children will develop flat feet as adults.

Treatment is not indicated for youngsters who do not develop an arch unless the foot is stiff or uncomfortable. Shoe inserts will not help your child grow an arch and may instead exacerbate the problem of flat feet.

Flat feet can be treated with the following methods if they are uncomfortable and cause walking difficulties:

• Custom made insoles
• Braces
• Appropriate footwear is required.
• Exercise
• Surgical intervention is frequently the most effective option for averting significant developmental issues in the future.

***See More: How Fast do Toddler Feet Grow? 

#2. Flat feet’s Treatment for Adult

Flat feet are a problem that does not go away completely in adults. It’s not possible to reverse flat feet, whether you were born with them or your arches collapsed with age. However, some of the remedies we recommend are as follows:

• Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Appropriate physical activity and diet
• Wearing a splint or brace
• Incorporate orthotics into your footwear
• For persons with flat feet, choosing the proper shoes is critical
• Medical treatment can assist you in determining the best answer for you
• Weight reduction will reduce your foot’s enjoyment
• Make sure you get enough rest

If non-surgical treatments aren’t alleviating your flat feet’ aches, pains, and problems, surgery may be the next step.

***See More: What is Birkenstock Soft Footbed? Pros, Cons of Birkenstock Soft Footbed

Complications

Many people who have flat feet discover that it has a negative impact on their entire health. You’re more prone to feel foot pain if you have fallen arches or flat feet, which don’t provide the support your feet require.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is more common in those who have flat feet. Plantar fasciitis is caused by overstretching of the tendons of the feet. This ailment produces considerable foot pain, particularly in the morning.

Overpronation, which occurs when the ankles fold inward when walking, is a common side effect of flat feet. This might cause pain in the feet and ankles.

Flat feet and overpronation can cause problems with spinal alignment because your feet are the foundation of support for your entire body. You may discover that your hips, knees, and lower back are also bothering you.

Factors that can increase your risk of flat feet include:

• Obesity
• Injury to your foot or ankle
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Aging
• Diabetes

***See More: Why is My Big Toe Turning Inward? How to Cure Them?

Conclusion

Our article tries to provide you with useful information about flat feet such as the causes of flat feet, what do flat feet look like, the symptoms, and treatment. Take care of your feet and get regular check-ups to detect flat foot problems as early as possible.

Consult your doctor to know What can flat feet cause flat feet and if it are causing you trouble. Stretching exercises and orthotics, for example, are nonsurgical treatments that can help with discomfort and inflammation. Surgery may be required in some cases.