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Mirkin Foot menu
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| Flat Feet |
General Information |
The normal arch functions as a shock absorber for our entire body.
Each time we step down, we place up to 5 times our body weight on
the foot, depending on whether we are walking, running, or jumping.
If there was no shock absorber in the foot, the force of each step
would eventually fracture or dislocate the bones of the foot, leg,
and lower back. When the arch is flat (a flat foot), it is "sick"
and cannot function properly. If left untreated, this will lead to
a completely collapsed foot which cannot function as a shock absorber
at all; and, this in turn will cause constant pain in the foot, and
eventually the knee, hip, and lower back |
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Causes: |
The normal arch is made up of bones and joints which are held tightly
together in a precise relationship. In order for the arch to flatten
out, the ligaments and tendons which hold the bones and joints together
must be more flexible than normal. This abnormal flexibility may be
a result of: the genes we inherit from our parents, the weakening
of muscles and ligaments caused by advancing age, neuromuscular diseases,
or injury. |
Injuries may include one severe trauma, or years of standing for long
periods of time in the wrong types of shoes (those with high heels
or those with poor support). This flexibility of the bones, joints,
and soft tissues is what causes the foot problems which are related
to flat arches or feet. The following conditions are the most common
foot problems seen in flat feet: |
1. PRONATION is the most common and damaging medical problem that
may occur as a result of flat arches. Pronation is a turning outward
of the foot at the ankle, so that one has a tendency to walk on the
inner border of the foot. You can test for pronation by looking at
the leg and foot from the back. Normally you can see the Achilles
Tendon run straight down the leg into the heel. If the foot is pronated,
the tendon will run straight down the leg, but when it lies on the
heel, it will twist outward. This makes the inner ankle bone much
more prominent than the outer ankle bone. Because pronation is a twisting
of the foot, all of the muscles and tendons which run from the leg
and ankle into the foot will be twisted. If left untreated, pronation
may be the cause of heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, frequent ankle
sprains, shin splints, weak and painful arches, and eventually knee,
hip, and lower back pain. |
2. STRUCTURAL DEFECTS are foot problems that may occur because the
bones and joints of the foot are not held together with the normal
amount of tension. This allows the bones and joints to move into abnormal
positions causing: bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, calluses, and corns.
If these problems are left untreated, they become progressively more
painful and debilitating. |
Treatment |
First and foremost, if you have a flat foot/feet, it is acceptable medical treatment to do nothing. If you are symptomatic, then goos shoes, with an arch and a strong heel counter, to keep your foot in a more normal position, may help. If not, orthotics can often provide great relief. They may range from a soft support to one that is very rigid. This can be decided after a thorough examination. |
Occasionally, support isn't enough and surgery can be required to alleviate symptoms. We have the usual, gold-standard options of fusions, cutting and moving bone and tendon transfers. All can provise great relief but have tremendous recovery periods. Fortunately, some flat feet benefit from a newer procedure called sub-talar arthroeresis. This involves the insertion of a bullet-shaped implant in-between your heel bone and the talus (that sits between the ankle bones). This blocks the foot's ability to roll inward without the significant recovery involved with previously described procedures. COME SEE US TO FIND OUT IF YOUR FLAT FEET NEED TREATMENT!
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