Flat Feet Overview
Learn About Flat Feet
Flat feet (pes planus) refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.
Pes planovalgus; Fallen arches; Pronation of feet; Pes planus
Flat feet are a common condition. The condition is normal in infants and toddlers.
Flat feet occur because the tissues holding the joints in the foot together (called tendons) are loose.
The tissues tighten and form an arch as children grow older. This will take place by the time the child is 2 or 3 years old. Most people have normal arches by the time they are adults. However, the arch may never form in some people.
Some hereditary conditions cause loose tendons and ligaments.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Marfan Syndrome
People born with these conditions may have flat feet.
Aging, injuries, or illness may harm the tendons and cause flat feet to develop in a person who has already formed arches. This type of flat foot may occur only on one side.
Rarely, painful flat feet in children may be caused by a condition in which two or more of the bones in the foot grow or fuse together. This condition is called tarsal coalition.
Most flat feet do not cause pain or other problems.
Children don't often have foot pain, ankle pain, or lower leg pain. They should be evaluated by a health care provider if this occurs.
Symptoms in adults may include tired or achy feet after long periods of standing or playing sports. You also may have pain on the outside of the ankle.
For patients that have had flat foot for a long time, you may develop changes in the appearance and flexibility of your toes also. You can have pain in the deformed toes.
Flat feet in a child do not need treatment if they are not causing pain or walking problems.
- Your child's feet will grow and develop the same, whether special shoes, shoe inserts, heel cups, or wedges are used.
- Your child may walk barefoot, run or jump, or do any other activity without making the flat feet worse.
In older children and adults, flexible flat feet that do not cause pain or walking problems do not need further treatment.
If you have pain due to flexible flat feet, the following may help:
- An arch-support (orthotic) that you put in your shoe. You can buy this at the store or have it custom-made.
- Special shoes.
- Calf muscle stretches.
Rigid or painful flat feet need to be checked by a provider. The treatment depends on the cause of the flat feet.
For tarsal coalition, treatment starts with rest and possibly a cast. Surgery may be needed if pain does not improve.
In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to:
- Clean or repair the tendon
- Transfer a tendon to restore the arch
- Fuse joints in the foot into a corrected position
Flat feet in older adults can be treated with pain relievers, orthotics, and sometimes surgery.
Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Joan Hendricks is an Orthopedics specialist and a Podiatric Surgeon in San Diego, California. Dr. Hendricks has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Flat Feet. Her top areas of expertise are Flat Feet, Tenosynovitis, Tendinitis, Achilles Tendon Rupture, and Hip Replacement.
Regents Of The University Of California
Paymaneh Sabet is a Podiatric Medicine specialist and an Emergency Medicine provider in San Diego, California. Dr. Sabet and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Flat Feet. Her top areas of expertise are Flat Feet, Bunions, Tendinitis, and Foot Drop.
Scott Mubarak is an Orthopedics provider in San Diego, California. Dr. Mubarak and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Flat Feet. His top areas of expertise are Collins Pope Syndrome, Acromicric Dysplasia, Flat Feet, Jacobsen Syndrome, and Osteotomy.
Most cases of flat feet are painless and do not cause any problems. They will not need treatment.
Some causes of painful flat feet can be treated without surgery. If other treatments do not work, surgery may be needed to relieve pain in some cases. Some conditions such as tarsal coalition may need surgery to correct the deformity so the foot stays flexible.
Surgery often improves pain and foot function for people who need it.
Possible problems after surgery include:
- Failure of the fused bones to heal
- Foot deformity that does not go away
- Infection
- Loss of ankle movement
- Pain that does not go away
- Problems with shoe fit
Contact your provider if you experience persistent pain in your feet or your child complains of foot pain or lower leg pain.
Most cases are not preventable. However, wearing well supported shoes can be helpful.
Summary: pronation distortion syndrome is a common postural distortion of the lower extremity, involving the anterior part of the leg. It may cause pain in the leg and disturbances in the tarsal part, in addition to distal and proximal parts. In this deformity, the head of the talus and navicular bones are rotated inward and downward, and the body's center of gravity shifts inward, resulting in flat feet. ...
Summary: Chronic back pain is posteriorly occurring multi-causes pain that most commonly occurred due to lumber strains and sprains. It usually lasts 12 weeks (03 months) or longer. It is exacerbated by prolonged sitting, lifting heavy weights and sudden awkward movements. The aim of study will be to compare the effects of static core stability versus extension exercises program on pain, range of motion an...
Published Date: April 24, 2023
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Grear BJ. Disorders of tendons and fascia and adolescent and adult pes planus. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 83.
Myerson MS, Kadakia AR. Correction of flatfoot deformity in the adult. In: Myerson MS, Kadakia AR, eds. Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery: Management of Complications. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 14.
Winell JJ, Davidson RS. The foot and toes. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 694.