Choosing shoes that provide proper support and comfort can help you avoid blisters, calluses and more serious foot problems, such as dropped bones. For those with flat feet, finding the right shoes is vital. The arch of the foot is made by a curve in the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot. The severity of the curve in these bones determines the height of the arch. Flat feet result from a lesser curve or a low arch. All shoes are not created equal -- find an anti-pronation shoe that supports the arch and helps correct your flat feet.
History
Toddlers and babies appear to have flat feet because they have large fat pads on the bottom of their feet. You may see a slight arch when the child stands on his tiptoes. Most children outgrow flat feet as their feet grow, the fat disappears and the muscles get stronger. The tendency to have flat feet is genetic, however, so some children may not grow out of it. Older children and adolescents sometimes experience pain from flat feet after physical activity or participation in sports.
Athletic Shoes
It is important to choose a shoe designed for your activity or sport. For example, if you enjoy aerobics classes, a cross-training or court shoe is the best because it accommodates side-to-side movements. If you are a runner, select a running shoe, which is made for forward motion. If you have flat feet, make sure your shoes have plenty of support. Stephen Pribut, president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, recommends testing a shoe for proper support. Place the toe of the shoe on the floor with the heel pointing toward the ceiling. Press straight down on the heel, and if the shoe bends in the center, it will not provide enough support. An athletic shoe with a stiffer sole and more padding and support in the arch is necessary for people with flat feet.
Anti-Pronation Shoes
Pronation is the term used to describe the rotation of the sole of the foot due to flat feet. Because the foot's arch is low, the ankle tends to bend toward the midline of the body, causing the sole of the foot to rotate, or pronate, toward the outside of the body. Anti-pronation athletic shoes are the easy to recognize -- some running shoes have a color-coded sole, with the rubber area supporting the arch colored grey or another dark color to indicate extra stability.
Anti-pronation shoes help keep the foot and ankle from pronating. Dress shoes do not usually have a visual indicator, so it is important to try on a variety of brands of dress shoes to find a brand or style that helps correct your flat feet. Shoes designed for flatfooted people are well-cushioned and usually have a leather upper for added support. Shoes with a straight last, or shape of the sole, are the best for providing support for people with low arches.
Benefits
Selecting a shoe designed for low arches will help support your arch and relieve your foot pain. Ideally, all your shoes should be designed for flat feet, but it is most important to make sure your athletic shoes are for people with flat feet. Wearing the correct type of shoe for your feet can help prevent injury or further damage to your feet caused by running, walking and playing sports.
Custom Orthotics
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society recommends custom-molded shoe inserts for those with severely flat feet. If you work in a place that requires you to wear high heels, steel-toed boots or other specialty footwear, you may want to consider wearing another pair of shoes to and from your job to lessen the time you have to spend in your work shoes. If you work at a job where you must stand or walk all day, consider purchasing a pair of custom-made orthotics to wear in your shoes to help support your arches.
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