Problems Associated with Fallen Arches
The feet are required to deal with considerable energy and redistribute the forces from movement in an efficient manner. The 26 bones in the feet combine with the bones and muscles in the legs to keep the body protected from excessive shocks and strains: Together they maintain the balance and keep the body moving in comfort. One of the structures which is instrumental in dealing with these forces is the foot arch, and when this is not present such as when with fallen arches or flat feet, these forces get transferred to the bones and muscles and injuries and pain are often the result.
The foot arch develops during childhood, and lifts to take on its “arch shape”. When this fails to happen the feet remain flat, and when standing most or all of the foot remains in contact with the ground. This can leave people “heavy footed”, but may cause no problems for the health. Many people can function perfectly well with fallen arches and flat feet, but for some they can cause pain and can be a problem waiting to happen.
Fallen arches (flat feet developed later in life) are more of a problem than flat feet suffered since childhood. Fallen arches can place an increased strain on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the feet and legs. Because the foot arch then no longer functions efficiently, it cannot deal with the normal forces from walking, running or jumping. Those forces are then transferred to the bones leading to an increased chance of developing stress fractures in the bones. Heel pain becomes more likely from a heavy footed landing. The posterior tibial tendon which is supposed to hold up the foot arch can become over strained leading to painful shin splints, and the posture can become misaligned leading to all manner of skeletal and muscular problems, not just in the feet and legs, but also in the lower back and shoulders. Lesser problems such as corns and calluses can also form on the feet leading to discomfort.
Finding out whether you have fallen arches and flat feet is important to allow you to prevent these problems and conditions from developing, and fortunately it is easy to do at home, and doesn’t require a trip to a podiatrist. Simply get the feet wet, and stand on a surface where your wet footprints will show. Take a look at the footprint and see if you have a narrowing in the middle of the foot between the heel and the ball, and if it is not present, fallen arches or flat feet are likely.
Correcting flat feet and fallen arches is straightforward, and the use of an orthotic insole is a good choice. These devices can be slipped into standard footwear and will help to correct foot function, support the arches, and help to distribute the body weight more evenly. Arch supports are another alternative, which help to prop up the arch and return it to a normal position.
In cases where there are continuous problems associated with flat feet, doctors may recommend surgery, although in many cases the effectiveness of the procedures do not make them worthwhile, and are usually reserved for only the most extreme cases. It is certainly better to exhaust the conservative methods of treatment first and to try insoles and arch supports to see if they will be sufficient before considering more extreme measures.
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