It is the condition where the arch structure on the sole of the foot decreases or disappears completely. The foot is in full contact with the ground. Flat feet, It may occur due to genetic reasons, incorrect shoe use or trauma. Fatigue, pain and a feeling of imbalance may be observed. If it is not noticed and treated in childhood, it may cause problems in later ages. It can be controlled with orthopedic supports.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
The natural arch of the sole of the foot disappears or flattens completely. This causes the sole to completely touch the ground when standing or walking. Since there is no spring support in the foot, the body weight is not distributed evenly. People with flat feet feel pain especially in the sole of the foot, heel or around the ankle. This pain increases with walking or standing for long periods because the muscles and ligaments are strained more because there is no supporting arch.
The disorder in the foot also affects the alignment of the legs and knees over time. This causes unbalanced loading on the muscles and can cause pain in the legs or knees. Discomfort is felt especially when going up and down stairs. People with flat feet often notice that they get tired quickly when standing or walking for long periods of time. This fatigue becomes more noticeable because the feet are inadequate to support the body weight.
Flat feet, Since it disrupts the foot's balance, especially the inner side of the shoes wears out more quickly. This is an important indicator of the foot's imbalance that can be seen from the outside. Swelling may be seen around the ankle due to the weak support structure. In addition, since flat feet affect balance, ankle sprains can occur frequently. It can directly affect body posture. The spine may become misaligned and walking style may change. This situation can also cause back and waist pain over time.
What Causes Flat Feet?
This condition is more common in people who have family members. The genetic flat-footedness of the foot structure can become apparent from childhood. If the muscles and ligaments that support the arch of the foot weaken, the inner part of the foot can collapse. This condition can be congenital or develop with age or trauma. As the body weight increases, the load on the feet also increases. This load causes the arch of the foot to collapse over time and flat feet It can cause the development of foot arches. If flat-soled or overly soft shoes that do not support the foot sufficiently are used for a long time, the arch of the foot can be damaged. Especially in childhood, choosing the wrong shoes can trigger this condition.
The foot structure may deteriorate after fractures, ligament ruptures and serious sprains in the foot. This may also lead to. With increasing age, the ligaments supporting the arch of the foot loosen and lose their elasticity. This may cause a problem that develops later. Damage to the nerves that control the muscles leads to muscle weakness. If the muscles cannot function properly, the foot structure collapses and this may occur. Inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis affect the foot bones and soft tissues, causing deformations. This may also flat feet can trigger its development.
What are the Flat Feet Treatment Methods?
One of the most common treatment methods is to use special orthopedic insoles. These insoles support the arch of the foot, balancing the pressure, reducing pain and correcting the walking pattern. Instead of ready-made ones, custom-made insoles give more effective results. Special exercises that strengthen the inner arch of the foot flat feet It alleviates the effects. Thanks to the stretching and strengthening movements targeting the ankle, calf and foot muscles, walking balance is increased and pain is reduced.
It is recommended to do it regularly under the supervision of a physical therapist. Individuals with flat feet should prefer supportive, hard-soled shoes with internal arch support. Soft shoes with no internal support may increase pain. In sports shoes, models that are especially suitable for flat feet should be chosen. Body weight increases the pressure on the feet.
Excess weight can make complaints worse. Maintaining an ideal weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce the pain associated with flat feet. Pain and inflammation may occur in the feet due to this condition. Painkillers can be used with a doctor's recommendation. In addition, applying ice to the feet at the end of the day will relieve swelling and pain. This is a relaxing method, especially on busy days. Regular massaging of the foot muscles can increase circulation and reduce muscle spasms and pain.
Manual therapy helps improve the posture and mobility of the foot with special applications performed by physiotherapists. If other treatment methods do not work and flat feet If it causes severe pain or gait disturbance, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgery reshapes the anatomy of the foot and corrects the structure of the inner arch. This method is usually considered a last resort. It is usually temporary in children and can resolve on its own over time. However, regular doctor follow-up is important. If necessary, the condition can be controlled with special insoles for children or light exercises.
