Flat Foot
Flat Foot is a postural deformity in which the arch of the foot that runs lengthwise along the sole has collapsed to the ground or not formed at all.
Symptoms
Pain of the heel, arch or ankle
Tendency to roll the ankle
Signs of shin splints due to poor shock absorption
Toes drifting outward
Heel rotates outward and the Achilles tendon run inward from the heel
Lower back, hip and knee pain due to poor biomechanics
Causes
There are two major forms of flatfoot:
Adult Acquired Flatfoot: This cause of flatfoot is due to the dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon. Go to that section of the pathology section to review this form of flatfoot.
Flexible Flatfoot: This form of flatfoot originates in childhood due to the skipped development of the medial longitudinal arch past the age of 5. This condition is known to usually be bilateral and have the arch of the foot return to normal when not in weight-bearing. It’s possible that 20% of adults have flexible flatfoot, but that the condition goes unrecognised due to being asymptomatic.
Diagnosis
To diagnose a patient, a clinician will observe the patient’s past family medical history, perform a physical biomechanical examination and possibly order X-rays. It’s possible for flexible flatfoot to be otherwise asymptomatic.