Are you suffering from aching feet and having difficulty in walking? Then you are not alone. Nowadays, foot pain is a common problem faced by many people. However, foot pain can be more problematic if it affects your walking patterns, daily chores and your ability to perform in your chosen sport.

Flat feet or fallen arch is a foot problem that usually is genetic in the cause, but some conditions like injury and tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction can cause flat feet in adulthood. Therefore, it's time to try something that can help you with painful flat feet like our Sydney orthotics, which is custom-made for flat feet.

So, if you want to learn more about a flat foot, its types, and how to treat it, scroll down and learn some more information.

What are flat feet?

Flat feet are one of the foot problems in which your foot soles don't have a significant arch, causing the entire surface of the sole to touch the ground when you stand. As a result, it may make you more prone to injury due to a reduced ability to shock absorb correctly and activate the arch using the windlass mechanism which aids in the shock absorption of the foot.

Flat feet are more common in babies at the time of birth, and arches usually develop by the age of six years. However, this problem persists in only two out of ten children as they grow up. Moreover, some people have collapsed arches, known as fallen arches in conditions like tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction.

People with flat feet experience arch/heel pain, joint pain, tired feet, sore knees, and even lower back pain. It isn't a big issue for many people, but if it causes foot pain or other problems and affects walking and running, treatment is required.

What are the types of flat feet?

There are various types of flat feet, including:

Flexible flat feet

Flexible flat feet are one of the most common types of flat feet. In this type, you can see the feet' arches while standing, but upon putting some stress on the feet, these arches disappear. It usually appears during childhood or as a teenager. There is a risk over time that tendons and ligaments in the feet' arches are more prone to getting stretched, torn, and swollen.

Rigid Flat Feet

In rigid flat feet, a person has no foot arches while standing or sitting. This problem can be detected often in childhood and can start causing issues in the early teen years but worsens later with age and can affect either one foot or both. As a result of rigid flat feet, you may feel a lot of pain in your foot and difficulty mobilizing the foot both vertically or horizontally. These types of flat feet usually require orthotics and/or treatment with a foot and ankle specialist for potential surgery.

Acquired Flat feet (Fallen Arch)

The acquired flat feet are adult-acquired flat feet. In this, the flat feet collapse, leading to a fallen arch. Usually, it affects one foot. The major causes of acquired flat feet are inflammation and posterior tibial tendon injury, which will play a vital role in supporting the foot arch.

Congenital Flat feet (Vertical Talus)

Congenital flat feet are a congenital disability that appears in some babies. This condition is also called vertical talus, in which the foot arches will not be formed. In this condition, the talus bone in the ankle is not in the correct position. Another name for this condition is a rocker-bottom foot.

What does a person with fallen arches feel?

In most cases, people with fallen arches don't feel foot pain or other issues. Still, some types of it can be painful.

The following are the main symptoms that a person with a fallen arch may feel, including cramps in the lower leg, pain in the foot and ankle, and heel pain during walking.

What are the various treatment options?

Medications

Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act as painkillers that help reduce pain and inflammation. However, it can't permanently treat the symptoms of flat feet but can only temporarily reduce foot and joint pain.  

Stretching Exercises

Based on your condition, the podiatrist may prescribe some exercises to help reduce foot pain and inflammation. In addition, various stretching exercises can be done to stretch and strengthen tendons and muscles that will help in mobility and flexibility.

Custom orthotics

Various supporting devices like orthotics, shoe inserts, and foot and leg braces can also treat flat feet and help in walking.

How can orthotics help you with flat feet?

Orthotic devices can help treat flat feet as they are custom-made insoles formed based on the severity of your foot condition and activity level. These custom orthotics are non-invasive and non-surgical ways of improving foot conditions and can assist in absorbing shock.

Further, these orthotics can keep your feet in the correct position, which can help you in walking and treating flat feet.

What's the difference between inserts and orthotics?

Shoe inserts are pre-made that can fit in your shoes and provide support, but orthotics are custom-made and formed for individuals after looking at their foot problems. Additionally, the shoe inserts can help support the arch, heel, toes, and foot, but orthotics help reduce foot pain associated with diabetes, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. Inserts can make your shoes more comfortable but are unsuitable for treating foot problems. In contrast, orthotics can help manage flat feet non-surgically.

What will your podiatrist check to design custom orthotics?

To design custom orthotics, your podiatrist will take 3D images of each foot and examine them. They might also look at how your feet, ankles, legs, and hips move while walking. After a detailed examination podiatrist will prescribe orthoticsand exercises if you need them and will decide whether you need more rigid or soft orthotics.

Where can you find the best orthotics for flat feet?

If you have similar foot pain issues or fallen arches, book online for our Sydney podiatrists. Podiatrists are well-trained and capable of designing the best orthotics customized according to your foot requirements.