http://www.footclinicmd.com The absence of an arch in the sole of the foot causes the foot to lie flat when a person is standing. Flat foot are sometimes the result of congenital bone deformity. Flat feetIn some cases, however, flat feet develop over time.

1. Flat Feet : Causes, Effects,
Symptoms and Treatment

2. Flat Feet
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Causes
Effects
Symptoms
Treatment

3. Origin of Flat feet
The absence of an arch in the sole of the foot causes the foot to lie
flat when a person is standing. Flat foot are sometimes the result of
congenital bone deformity. Flat feetIn some cases, however, flat feet
develop over time. When a person walks, gravity-induced pressure
puts three to four times the body’s weight on each foot and over the
years, imbalance on the muscles may cause a disorder in the feet’s
natural arch. The excess weight or pounding stress can cause the
arch of the metatarsal to flatten or fall.

4. Flat feet : The Causes and Symptoms
Flat feet is a common condition and normal with infants and toddlers. They
occur because the tissues in the feet that hold the joints together are loose.
As children grow, the tissues tighten to form an arch which would have taken
place by the time a child reaches the age of 2 or 3. People normally have
arches at the time of adulthood. In some people, however, the arches never
form. The instep of the foot comes in contact with the ground when
standing.

5. In persons who already formed
arches, aging, injuries, or illness can
harm the tendons and cause the
development of flat feet. The flat
foot can occur on only one side.
Most cases of flat foot do not result
in sore foot or other problems
although in children, foot,
ankle and lower leg pain may be felt.
This should be seen by a doctor.
In adults, tired or aching feet after
long standing or sports activities
may be experienced.

6. Diagnosis and Treatment
Rigid flat feet is diagnosed when a patient stands on his toes and the arch
does not form. If sore foot is experienced, tests that would be
recommended include an MRI scan to look at the tendons, a CT scan to
look at the foot bones or an x-ray of the foot.
The treatment is based on the cause of the condition. For tarsal
condition, or painful flat feet in children that is caused by the fusing
together of two or more bones of the foot, treatment would start with
rest and maybe a cast. If foot pain does not recede, surgery becomes an
option to clean and fix the tendons or to fuse the foot joins into a correct
position.

7. When no foot pain is caused by flat feet in adults, or in case of flexible flat
feet (an arch forms when a person stands on his toes), no treatment is
necessary. In children, if no problem is presented when walking or no foot
pain is felt, no treatment is necessary.
Pain caused by flexible flat feet can be remedied by:
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Orthotics or arch supports inside the shoe.
Rest and icing the foot arch
Special shoes or changing footwear for maximum comfort
Pain relievers and shoe insert

8. Oftentimes, cases requiring surgery obtain positive results in terms
of improved pain in the foot and function. While most cases of flat
feet cannot be prevented, professional treatment should be sought
when lower leg pain or sore feet becomes evident.
http://www.cliniquedupied-md.com/en/foot-ailments/flat-feet/