Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

When people reach 40 or 50, poor foot function will start to show and over-pronation will take its toll. Many years of over-pronation will result in wear and tear in the feet, ankle and knee joints and lower back. People will simply accept these common aches and pains as a sign of ageing. Very few people realise these complaints have a lot to do with their fallen arches! With over-pronation the foot continues to roll inwards, when it should be pushing off and outwards. When the foot rolls inwards the lower leg will follow and rotate internally and stay in this position (instead of rotating externally with supination). Those who are suffering from extreme flat feet problems might need to opt for custom-made insoles. Yes, just like the custom-made orthopedic shoes, you can order a custom-made insole as well. Your orthopedic doctor will give you a prescription with the right measurements and details of orthopedic insoles which you can use for having a custom-made piece. Custom-made pieces usually offer rigid arch support. Symptoms include swelling on the inside of the ankle, pain that worsens with activity or walking on uneven ground, difficulty walking or standing for long periods and, eventually, pain on the outside of the ankle due to the heel bone shifting outward. An examination of the foot is enough for the health care provider to diagnose flat foot. However, the cause must be determined. If an arch develops when the patient stands on his or her toes, the flat foot is called flexible and no treatment or further work-up is necessary. If there is pain associated with the foot or if the arch does not develop with toe-standing, x-rays are necessary. If a tarsal coalition is suspected, a CT scan is often ordered. If a posterior tibial tendon injury is suspected, your health care provider may recommend an MRI Treatment Along with going through severe pain, some people experience injuries that cause them to lose their walking ability altogether. Overlooking the option of knee surgery would greatly reduce their chances of every walking again. When injuries such as these occur, unless a skilled physician comes in to correct the damage, things will only get worse. Instead of having the opportunity to rehabilitate, the person may be in danger of being confined to a wheelchair. Treatment for fallen arches of these children is also readilysuccessful, but it takes a little longer. The recovery is often as rapid and spectacularas in the following severe case of a four-year-old girl. When bunion deformity becomes severe, the foot can hurt in different places and the mechanical function of the forefoot automatically gets affected. Although ill fitting foot wear is the main cause for bunion formation, it may also be caused by variety of conditions such as abnormal bone structure, neurological condition, excessive flexibility of the ligaments and flat feet. A foot doctor specializing in bunion surgery in Liverpool will choose a line of treatment based on the pathologies and may use a combination of procedures to successfully treat bunions. About the Author