Due to our hectic work routines, long hours of standing, commuting via local transport, and lack of attention to physical health, many people are facing the issue of flat feet.
Flat Feet ( Pes Planus)
Flat feet is a condition where the arch of foot flattens out, causing the entire sole to touch the ground. This may lead to pronation and discomfort.
Flat feet can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later due to injury, poor footwear, obesity, or weak foot muscles. The condition can often be managed with strengthening exercises, proper footwear, orthotic insoles, and physiotherapy.
Common causes:
Increased Body Weight: Extra weight puts more stress on the medial longitudinal arch, which is the main arch of your foot. Over time, this pressure can flatten the arch and affect stability.
Injury to the Ankle: Injuries like sprains or ligament tears (especially to the deltoid ligament or anterior talofibular ligament) can impact foot alignment. These injuries can weaken support around the subtalar joint, leading to poor control of the arches.
Wearing Poor Footwear: Footwear lacking support can fail to protect the medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal, and transverse arches. Without proper cushioning or structure, muscles like the tibialis posterior and peroneus longus can become overworked or imbalanced.
Standing for Long Hours: Prolonged standing loads the medial and lateral longitudinal arches, causing fatigue in supporting muscles such as the flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and intrinsic foot muscles. Over time, this may lead to a collapsed arch or pain.
Weak Foot and Ankle Muscles: Key muscles like the tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and the intrinsic muscles (e.g., abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis) help maintain the shape of the arches. Weakness in these muscles can lead to overpronation and poor arch control.