Flat Feet
Flexible Flatfeet, Posterior Tibial Dysfunction, Accessory Navicular
Flatfeet, also known as flatfoot, is a common condition where the arches on the inside of the feet flatten when pressure is applied. When individuals with flatfeet stand, their feet point outward, and the entire soles touch the floor.
Flatfeet can occur if the arches don’t develop during childhood or can develop later in life due to injury or age-related wear and tear.
Flatfeet is usually painless and does not require treatment if there is no discomfort. However, if flatfeet cause pain or limit activities, an evaluation by a specialist may be necessary.
Causes of Flat Feet
Flatfeet is common in infants and toddlers, as their foot arches haven’t yet developed. While most people’s arches develop during childhood, some individuals never develop arches, which may or may not cause problems.
Some children have flexible flatfeet, where the arch is visible when sitting or standing on tiptoes but disappears when standing normally. Most children outgrow flexible flatfeet without issues.
Even those with normal arches can develop flatfeet later in life. Arches can collapse suddenly due to injury or gradually over years of wear and tear. Over time, the tendon along the inside of the ankle that supports the arch can weaken or tear. As the condition worsens, arthritis may develop in the foot.
Flat Feet Symptoms
Most people have no symptoms associated with flatfeet. But some people with flatfeet experience foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch area. Pain may worsen with activity. Swelling may occur along the inside of the ankle.
Types of Flat Feet
Flexible Flat Feet
Flexible Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch. Other characteristics shared by most types of flatfoot include toe drift, in which the toes and front part of the foot point outward. The heel tilts toward the outside and the ankle appears to turn in. A tight Achilles tendon, which causes the heel to lift off the ground earlier when walking and may make the problem worse, bunions and hammertoes may develop as a result of a flatfoot.
Posterior Tibial Dysfunction
The posterior tibial tendon serves as one of the major supporting structures of the foot, helping it to function while walking. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch. This results in flattening of the foot.
Accessory Navicular
The accessory navicular (os navicularum or os tibiale externum) is an extra bone or piece of cartilage located on the inner side of the foot just above the arch. It is incorporated within the posterior tibial tendon, which attaches in this area and can lead to Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
Flat Feet Diagnoses
To view the mechanics of your feet, a health care provider will observe your feet from the front and back and ask you to stand on your toes. The provider will test strength in the ankles and locate the main area of your pain. The wear pattern on your shoes also may reveal information about your feet.
