What issues can flat feet cause?

What are the long term effects of flat feet?

As the foot collapses toward the ground, the lower legs tend to rotate inward. This inward rotation can affect the entire leg, including the hips, leading to long-term leg and back pain. Flat feet are a common cause of general musculoskeletal pain and problems.

What happens if flat feet is not treated?

Ashley Ledger states, “Flatfoot disorder may gradually worsen to the point that many of the tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle are simply overworking.” Early treatment is important in flatfeet since ignoring the condition can lead to even more serious conditions including arthritis and loss of function.

What are some health problems caused by having flat feet?

The most identifiable symptoms and characteristics of flat feet are the decrease or lack of arches in your feet (especially when weight bearing) and pain / fatigue along the inner side of your feet and arches. Some issues caused by flat feet include: Inflammation of soft tissue. Foot, arch, and leg fatigue.

What causes flat feet to get worse?

Having flat feet can throw your entire body out of alignment and lead to stress and pain, especially in your hips, lower limbs, ankles, and feet. Without treatment, these symptoms can grow and cause additional problems, such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and arthritis.

Flat Feet Symptoms, Causes

Is flat feet a serious problem?

The condition is referred to as pes planus, or fallen arches. It's normal in infants and usually disappears between ages 2 and 3 years old as the ligaments and tendons in the foot and leg tighten. Having flat feet as a child is rarely serious, but it can last through adulthood.

Do flat feet get worse with age?

In adults, flat feet usually remain permanently flat. Treatment usually addresses the symptoms rather than a cure. In adults the condition is called "acquired" flatfoot because it affects feet that at one point in time had a normal longitudinal arch. The deformity may worsen over time as one ages.

Can flat feet cause nerve damage?

Causes of tibial nerve damage can include: Flat feet. High arches. Injuries, such as an ankle sprain or fracture.

Can flat feet affect your spine?

Unfortunately, when flat feet lead to lower back pain, this means that your other primary foundational support system — your spine — is compromised. Ultimately, flat feet that lead to lower back pain mean that much of your body's main structure is out of alignment, and balance needs to be restored.

Can flat feet cause walking problems?

If arches don't develop — or they collapse later in life (fallen arches) — flat feet can cause pain and affect walking.

Is being flat footed a disability?

Pes planus is a disability characterized by the arches of your feet flattening. While the disability can be serious, inhibiting your range of motion and ability to walk, it is typically painless.

Do flat feet make you slower?

Again, it may not slow you down, but it can lead to strained arches--an injury commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis--and also to shin splints. However, as long as you have no symptoms of injury, you should not worry too much about it.

Why are flat feet not allowed in the Army?

Army personnel have to go through a rigorous physical regimen. A person with flat feet will not be able to cope with such activities. If foot arch is not fully developed it will not act as a shock absorber, instead shock will be absorb by the spine. This can cause problems in the back.

Can you correct flat feet?

Arch supports (orthotic devices).

Over-the-counter arch supports may help relieve the pain caused by flatfeet. Or your doctor might suggest custom-designed arch supports, which are molded to the contours of your feet. Arch supports won't cure flatfeet, but they often reduce symptoms.

Can flat feet cause knee damage?

The flattened foot arch causes the shin and thigh bones to abnormally twist inwards, adding stress on the knee joint and sometimes causing pain. Existing knee problems like ACL or meniscus tear can worsen and/or take longer to heal with a poor foot posture.

Can flat feet cause arthritis?

Flatfoot can also cause arthritis

Having flattened arches for a long time can lead to osteoarthritis from accumulated damage to the joint below the ankle (called the subtalar joint) and the joint in front of the ankle (called the talonavicular joint).

Do flat feet cause scoliosis?

When the left ankle arch collapses causing flat feet, and both shoulders become imbalanced, scoliosis appears to develop. Namely, imbalance from the feet affects the legs, pelvis and vertebrae; therefore, scoliosis is believed to be resultant.

Can flat feet cause degenerative disc disease?

Conclusion: Flat foot was found to be an independent risk factor for subsequent spinal DJD.

Can flat feet cause neck pain?

Flat feet can cause serious problems all the way up the kinetic chain (foot to neck). Pronated feet can cause any of the following problems: foot pain, heel pain, knee pain, hip pain, low back pain, shin splints, and even neck pain.

Can flat feet cause neuropathy in feet?

Peripheral neuropathy—Damage to the nerves in the extremities often caused by diabetes. Injury to the foot or ankle—An injury to your toes or feet can also result in numbness. Flat feet—The weight and pressure from having poorly treated flat feet can press on the nerves.

Can flat feet cause leg pain?

Flat feet can cause intense pain in your feet, ankles and lower leg muscles, as well as in your hips and lower back.

When is flat foot surgery necessary?

If you are suffering from flat feet, a condition when little or no space exists beneath the arch of the foot when you are in a standing position, you may require flat foot surgery. Symptoms include: Experiencing pain when running or walking, particularly on the inner ankle and foot. Ankle swelling.

Can a podiatrist help with flat feet?

In severe cases, surgery may be required, however in most cases a podiatrist will be able to suggest proper footwear and orthotics as well as exercises and foot stretches to help your condition. Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from.

Can you rebuild arches in flat feet?

One of the foot problems people develop is "fallen arches" or "flat feet," a decrease in the longitudinal arch that absorbs landing forces. You can rebuild the arches through the use of the following and other active isolated, constant-resistance exercises.

Can flat feet cause hip pain?

Flat feet aren't unusual and are usually caused by a lack of tendon support in the arches of the feet. However, this condition can cause pain in various other parts of the body, including the back, hips, and knees.