Description: Also called ‘fallen arches,’ or ‘over pronation,’ flat-footedness is a condition in which the foot’s arch collapses so that the entire sole comes into near-complete (sometimes complete) contact with the ground. Flat feet are linked to overpronations, when the ankle bones lean inwards – abnormally – to the center line. When an individual walks, pressure shifts to other parts of the foot and causes pain.

Correctly designed shoes will make the low-arch foot more comfortable. Because the foot often pronates in flat feet, the body can become misaligned and other joints can be affected.

Flat feet of themselves are not necessarily a problem, however excessive pronation (the feet become misaligned and combined with poor posture roll inwards to gain ground contact, the arches become flattened) can cause the foot’s arches to elongate and collapse. In these cases of flat feet, pain and discomfort will be present in the arch and heel, treatment is required for this problem to be managed successfully. Excessive pronation is associated with many conditions including ankle, knee or low back pain.

The causes of flat feet are many but in the older age group, decreased exercise and increased weight add to the mechanical disturbances of the foot. The symptoms can range from tired, aching to sharp pains in the foot with general leg fatigue and body aches. Flat feet can also produce conditions known as heel spurs and/or plantar fasciitis.

A patient with flat feet or overpronations may also experience pain in the lower legs or on the inside of the ankles as the heel slants away from the body’s midline more than it should.

Footwear: The best and first line of defense for a flat foot condition is a good supportive shoe but usually some type of arch support is required. However in the long term orthotic insoles are the most effective means of controlling flat feet.

How can orthotics help? Pes Planus can be effectively treated with orthotics that provide biomechanical support and help feet to function more efficiently. The orthotic provides both support for the longitudinal arch and medial rear foot posting to combat over pronation.