Things you need to know

A flat foot is a condition in which there is little to no arch in one or both feet. It is difficult for people to walk, jog or do sprint running for a longer duration. Usually, all babies are born with flat feet at birth, and as they grow, this condition becomes self-treatable, but it is also advisable to massage the baby’s foot to help form the correct structure with age because an arch typically forms by the age of 6 years. Though, a flat foot is not a condition of concern for most people other than for those for whom pain becomes unbearable and only treatment can help.

Flexible 

• Most common flat feet
• Affects both the feet and worsens with age
• You may see an arch when you are sitting, and it disappears as you stand and put pressure on your feet
• Tendons in the arches of the feet can swell and tear as you try to walk or run too much

Rigid

• No arch while sitting or standing 
• Develops when you hit puberty, i.e. in your teen years, and worsens with age
• Make sit difficult to flex the muscles, i.e. move them side-to-side or up and down
• Can affect one or both the feet

In children, the most common causes of flat foot are:

• Lack of foot movement and exercise
• Heredity
• Loose ligaments 
• Tightness in Achilles tendon

In adults, the most common causes of flat foot are:

• Injury and fractures
• Abnormal formation of joints
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Age
• Overuse and strain of muscles

Most people with flat feet do not feel any discomfort or pain. Some common symptoms for flat foot are:-

• Aching or muscle pain
• Pain within 10 minutes of fast walking 
• Pain in ankles, heels and outside part of the foot
• Pain when you wear flat slippers or shoes as the foot directly touches the ground 
• Cramps on the part of the foot that touches the ground
• Feeling abnormal discomfort and stress on the knees and hips

Though there isn’t any specific sure shot treatment for the flat foot, people with a flat foot only need to take care of their feet by doing the following:

• Anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving drugs (as prescribed)
• Ice packs to help ease the inflammation and pain
• Physical therapy to improve the flexibility and mobility of tightened muscles
• Dip your feet in lukewarm salty water to relax and relieve pain 
• Get yourself customised shoes, foot braces or foot orthotics for that extra support and comfort
• Do appropriate foot exercises to relieve pain