Your foot is an amazing feat of engineering. It balances your body weight while you walk, run and jump, and even adapts to your questionable footwear choices. Still, there is a limit to how much strain your feet can take, and over time you may develop weak arches. If your fallen arches cause you pain, you may need to use orthotics to correct the issue and help your feet keep on supporting your daily activities.
Causes of Weak Arches
Weak arches or flatfoot can be caused by various injuries and illnesses. One major cause is a dysfunction of your posterior tibial tendon. The tibial tendon should hold your arch up, but it can become inflamed, stretched or torn. This happens most often in women over 50, and it has been linked to arthritis, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and inflammatory diseases. Foot and ankle injury can also cause damage to this tendon, as can local steroid injections. If you have none of these risk factors, you may have developed weak arches through exercise and sports that involve running and jumping on a hard surface. With or without proper arch support, these sports are tough on your feet.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Weak Arches
If you have weak arches, your feet may feel tired or painful when you stand or walk. You may have trouble standing on your toes or moving your heel or midfoot. Your foot will probably ache in the heel or arch area, and possibly swell along the inner side. To test your arches, wet your foot and stand on a flat, dry surface. Examine your footprint: if it is a nearly complete imprint, you may have flat feet. If you think you have fallen arches, see your doctor for a full diagnosis and to find out whether arch support orthotics can help you.
Function of Arch Supports
The arch of your foot is truly an architectural shape. Like a Roman arch, your foot must be supported from the ends or contact points, instead of from the middle. Commercially available arch supports tend to cushion the arch of your foot, which feels more comfortable temporarily but provides little medical benefit. Most footwear has negative consequences for your feet, which is why so many Americans develop foot problems. Prescription orthotics fit inside your shoes, providing the support your arches need.
Selecting Arch Supports
When you choose an arch support, find one that is fitted exactly to your feet. You can buy supports over the counter or have your doctor prescribe them. Some commercial supports ask you to send them a foot imprint, while others are designed to mold to your foot on first use. Others are designed to be stiff, limiting your foot's range of motion and preventing further injury. If you're not sure what type you need, talk to your doctor, a podiatrist or an orthopedic professional.
Additional Treatments
If your weak arches don't cause you pain or discomfort, you don't need special treatment or orthotics. In fact, a series of simple exercises may help correct the problem. However, be careful not to ignore your symptoms. Arch supports can help stop your condition from getting worse. Once weak arches have progressed to the point of serious pain, your doctor may recommend corrective braces or even surgery.
