If you have fallen arches, sometimes called flat feet, it means that the normal arch in the middle of your foot is no longer curved properly. The medical term for this condition is pes planus. You can have this condition and never have any symptoms. Fallen arches can lead to foot pain and foot fatigue. If it alters the way you walk you may eventually develop knee, hip and low back pain as well. Your foot may lose normal range of motion making it hard to rise up onto your toes. In some cases, your feet can become swollen. If you have this condition talk to your doctor to determine the cause of your fallen arches so that an appropriate treatment plan can be started.
Abnormal Foot Development
You can be born with a tendency towards fallen arches. Up through the toddler stage, it is common to have flat feet, states the Mayo Clinic. Throughout childhood the arches tend to normally develop. For reasons not well understood, however, in some cases the feet stay flat and the arch never forms. In many cases this abnormality does not cause symptoms or require any treatment. In other cases, it is due to a condition called tarsal coalition. This occurs when some of the foot bones fuse.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Injury
In your foot is a tendon called the posterior tibial tendon. The tendon runs from the middle of your foot up to your calf. The tension in this tendon helps to create a normal arch in your foot. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this tendon can become stiff, injured or inflamed from age, wear and tear, overuse, injuries or rheumatoid arthritis. If you are obese or older than age 50 you are at higher risk of this condition. Problems with this tendon can also occur as a result of foot or ankle surgery. If this tendon is irritated or tight it will pull on the bones and the feet may flatten. If your condition is severe enough you will need medical treatment to prevent losing all motion in your feet. In rare cases, surgery may be required to repair the tendon.
Abnormal Gait
If you tend to roll your foot and ankle in (pronation) when you walk or run you may cause your arch to fall. The University of Iowa claims that pronating the foot and ankle interferes with the normal movement of the foot. You should land on your heel first and roll through the middle of the foot. Landing on the inside of the foot stresses the foot and ankle bones, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to many problems including flat foot. Talking with your podiatrist can help. He can examine the way you land on your foot and then design orthotics to help you move correctly. It will also be important to wear the right shoes for the activity you are participating in. Making these corrections will oftentimes relieve symptoms.
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