Non-surgical treatments for Flexible Flatfoot

Non-surgical treatments to Flexible Flatfoot

If you experience symptoms with flexible flatfoot, the surgeon may recommend non-surgical treatment options, including:

1) Activity modifications. Cut down on activities that bring you pain and avoid prolonged walking and standing to give your arches a rest.

2) Weight loss. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Putting too much weight on your arches may aggravate your symptoms.

3) Orthotic devices. Your foot and ankle surgeon can provide you with custom orthotic devices for your shoes to give more support to the arches.

4) Immobilization. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a walking cast or to completely avoid weight-bearing.

5) Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce pain and inflammation.

6) Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may be used to provide temporary relief.

7) Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that support the arches is important for anyone who has flatfoot.

Sources:

"Flexible Flatfoot." Flexible Flatfoot. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2016. <http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/flatfoot.htm>.

Direct source:

http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/flatfoot.htm

Flexible Flatfoot in Children

Flexible Flatfoot in children

A flexible flatfoot is considered to be a variation of a normal foot. The muscles and joints of a flexible flatfoot function normally. Most children are born with very little arch in the feet. As they grow and walk, the soft tissues along the bottom of the feet tighten, which gradually shapes the arches of the feet. Children with flexible flatfoot often do not begin to develop an arch until the age of 5 years or older. Some children never develop an arch. If flexible flatfoot continues into adolescence, a child may experience aching pain along the bottom of the foot. A doctor should be consulted if a child's flatfeet cause pain.

Flexible flatfoot is common in children. Parents and other family members often worry needlessly that an abnormally low or absent arch in a child's foot will lead to permanent deformities or disabilities. Flexible flatfoot is usually painless and does not interfere with walking or sports participation. Most children eventually outgrow it without any problems.

These pictures show a person affected by Flexible flatfoot, where if the person stands on their toes an arch is visible but otherwise while standing is not visible.

This is another picture of a person with Flexible flatfoot, note the absence of an arch.

Pictures and information from:

"Flexible Flatfoot in Children." OrthoInfo. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2016. <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046>.

Direct source:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046

Pediatric Flatfoot

What Is Pediatric Flatfoot?

Flatfoot is common in both children and adults. When this abnormality occurs in children, it is referred to as “pediatric flatfoot.” Although there are various forms of flatfoot, they all share one characteristic – partial or total collapse of the arch.

Pediatric flatfoot can be classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic flatfeet exhibit symptoms such as pain and limitation of activity, while asymptomatic flatfeet show no symptoms. These classifications can assist your foot and ankle surgeon in determining an appropriate treatment plan.

Symptoms:
Flatfoot can be apparent at birth or it may not show up until years later. Most children with flatfoot have no symptoms, but some have one or more of the following symptoms:

Pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot, leg, and knee

Outward tilting of the heel

Awkwardness or changes in walking

Difficulty with shoes

Reduced energy when participating in physical activities

Voluntary withdrawal from physical activities

Source: 

"Pediatric Flatfoot." Pediatric Flatfoot. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pediatric-flatfoot.htm>.
Direct Source:
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pediatric-flatfoot.htm

Causes of Flatfoot

Causes of Flatfoot 

Family history - experts say fallen arches can run in families.

Weak arch - the arch of the foot may be there when no weight is placed on it, for example, when the person is sitting. But as soon as they stand up the foot flattens (falls) onto the ground.

Injury

Arthritis

Tibialis posterior (ruptured tendon)

Pregnancy

Nervous system or muscle diseases - such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida.

Tarsal Coalition - the bones of the foot fuse together in an unusual way, resulting in stiff and flat feet. Most commonly diagnosed during childhood.

Diabetes

Age and wear and tear - years of using your feet to walk, run, and jump eventually may take its toll. One of the eventual consequences could be fallen arches. The posterior tibial tendon may become weakened after long-term wear a tear. The posterior tibial tendon is the main support structure of the arch of our feet. The tendon can become inflamed (tendinitis) after overuse - sometimes it can even become torn. Once the tendon is damaged, the arch shape of the foot may flatten.[1]

Sources:

1. Nordqvist, Christian. "What Are Flat Feet (pes Planus, Fallen Arches)? What Causes Flat Feet?" What Are Flat Feet (pes Planus, Fallen Arches)? What Causes Flat Feet? N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168608.php>.

Direct source:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168608.php

What is Flatfoot?

What is Flatfoot?

As defined by the U.S National Library of Medicine, Flatfoot or Pes Planus refer to a change in foot shape in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing.[1] Flatfoot is a common condition and affects many people in the world, though some people are more prone to having certain aggravating symptoms.

Flatfoot is also called fallen arches. Flatfoot is caused by multiple reasons, people may develop flatfoot after sustaining an injury to their posterior tibial tendon which connects the lower leg and the ankle to the middle of the arch. Flatfoot also may be present from birth. Flatfoot is more likely to develop if a person has diabetes, is pregnant or is obese.[2]

Sources:

1. "Flat Feet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016. <https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001262.htm>.

2. "Fallen Arches: Causes, Treatments, and Managing Foot Pain." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-are-fallen-arches>.

Direct sources:

1. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001262.htm

2. http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-are-fallen-arches

How to test for flatfoot

How to test for flatfoot

To test for flatfoot is very simple and can be done in these few steps:-

Step 1: Get your feet wet.

Step 2: Place your wet foot on a surface where you could see the footprint, for example a towel, paper, wood, a floor mat.

Step 3: Compare your footprint the ones here. 

The image here is from Flat Feet. Oxa Medical, n.d. Web. <http://www.thion-medical.com/en/60-flat-feet>. 

(http://www.thion-medical.com/en/60-flat-feet)

About the blog

What is this blog about?:

This blog is about Flatfoot and is for spreading awareness about Flatfoot to those without it. Flatfoot is something that affects a huge population of the people on Earth. Later posts will be aimed at providing information about Flatfoot symptoms and ways to alleviate the more awful symptoms of Flatfoot.

To be specific this blog is to be as a hub to share information I found about flatfoot with people who want to learn more about the subject or are curious about flatfoot.

This blog will be updated regularly with more content about flatfoot as I find more. Sources will be cited wherever used. (Pictures and Information)

To provide some disclosure, this blog was made as a product for my personal project assignment from my school. I am no pediatrician or orthopaedic surgeon so I cannot fully verify the validity of my sources.