Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
Flat feet is a condition wherein a person has a very low or no arch in the foot.
The role of arches is to help distribute body weight across the feet and legs. When a person has flat feet, they have a tendency to roll their foot frequently compared to someone with normal or high arches.
What Caused My Flat Feet?
If you are worried about a child, read our guide to flat feet in children – they are usually normal. Common causes of flat feet include:
Genetics
Foot or ankle injury
Certain medical conditions such as neurological disorders
A dietary condition such as obesity and diabetes
What Are The Pain Symptoms Of Flat Feet?
Pain in the feet is the most common symptom because of strained muscles and connecting ligaments.
Other pain symptoms include:
Shin splints (lower leg pain)
Heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
Ankle pain
Knee pain
Biomechanical Assessment
Since there are numerous factors that cause flat feet, we recommend a Biomechanical Assessment to determine the root cause of this condition. This ensures that you are provided with a long-term solution to prevent complications to your knee and hip joints which is often associated with flat feet.
Your Treatment
Treatment depends on what is driving your flat feet. Depending on your assessment, your plan may include custom or prefabricated orthotics, footwear advice, and stretching or strengthening exercises. Your treatment is carried out at our Manly podiatry clinic on East Esplanade. For more detail, read our guide on how to treat flat feet.
