Flat feet (pes planus) don’t always cause symptoms for everyone. But they can change the way you walk VSports注册入口. They can also transfer too much stress to parts of your lower body that aren’t prepared to bear it.
Early symptoms might include:
Over time, you might develop:
You might begin to feel pain in your:
You also might be more at risk of secondary conditions like:
Some flat feet causes are congenital (present at birth). Other causes happen later in life, after your arches have formed normally VSports在线直播. This is called progressive collapsing foot deformity, or “fallen arches. ”.
Congenital pes planus is due to conditions present at birth. While all babies are flat footed, some won’t ever develop normal arches. The answer to this is in their genes, which determine their physical traits.
Some families just have flatter arches than others. But genes can also cause genetic disorders or defects that affect how your arches form or prevent them from forming. Some of these conditions include:
Acquired pes planus happens when your arches fall flat after forming normally. Arch collapse can happen slowly or rapidly. Diseases and injuries can cause them. Some of these conditions include:
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An orthopedist or podiatrist can recognize pes planus on a physical exam. They’ll observe the shape and position of your foot, how it moves and how you stand and walk on it.
They’ll ask you about your health history and any prior injuries or conditions that may have caused it. They might take images, like a foot X-ray, to confirm pes planus or to look further into the cause.
Many people won’t need any treatment for flat feet. If you don’t have symptoms, there’s no need to fix them. If flat feet cause you occasional, mild aches and pains, you can treat them conservatively with:
But flat feet that cause frequent or significant pain or other complications might need additional treatment. Depending on the cause, some people might need surgery to fix the underlying issue.
Sometimes, a mild and recent case of flat feet will correct itself with conservative treatment. In more severe cases, surgery can potentially fix flat feet. But some of the underlying causes are hard to treat.
When you have a chronic disease that contributes to flat feet, like advanced diabetes, arthritis or a connective tissue disease, it’s not always possible to manage it well enough to preserve your arches.
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Yes. Many people with flat feet don’t have noticeable symptoms or need treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend nonsurgical treatments if pes planus causes foot pain or other problems.
Wearing special footwear and adding some exercises to your daily routine can easily become your new normal. But if they aren’t helping, don’t keep quiet. Some types of pes planus can keep getting worse.
Often, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent flat feet. Staying at a healthy weight may ease pain from flat feet.
Flat feet are common and often no cause for concern. Children with flat feet usually develop arches by about age 10. But sometimes they don’t, and their flat feet may start to cause them discomfort in time.
It’s important to take your symptoms seriously. Some types and causes of flat feet are more severe, and they can cause further problems if left untreated. Consult an orthopedist or podiatrist if you have symptoms.
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An aching foot or heel can bring your favorite activities to a halt. Cleveland Clinic’s foot pain experts are here to help you heal and get back on your feet.
Last reviewed on 11/17/2024.
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