Flat feet - a common and usually painless condition that can occur if a child has not developed the arch. In other cases, the flat may occur after trauma or because of normal aging changes. Treatment of flatfoot is not always necessary, it depends on many factors.

When flat feet Flatfoot - whether to treat it?   arch of the foot flattens, allowing the sole of the foot is completely touch the floor when the person is standing.

Flat feet can sometimes exacerbate the problem in the ankles and knees, because it can affect the condition of the optimum straightening the legs. If a person does not feel pain, flat feet usually does not require treatment.

Symptoms of flatfoot

Most people have no signs or symptoms associated with flat feet. But some people experience pain in the legs Pain in the legs - to warn easier than cure Especially in the heel or arch of the foot. Edema can also occur on the inner side of the ankle.

When you need to see a doctor

Talk with your doctor if you or your child is experiencing pain in the feet.

Causes of flat feet

Flatfoot in infants and young children - that's fine, because they have not yet formed the arch. For most people, the arch is formed in childhood, but for some people it will remain unformed. This is a normal variant of the foot, and people who have arch is not formed, may have problems, but can not feel them.

Arch of the foot may also decrease over time. Over the years, the tendon, which is the inside of the ankle and supports the arch of the foot, can weaken.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of developing flatfoot include:

• Adiposity
• Injury or damage to the foot or ankle
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Aging

Preparations for the visit to the doctor for flat

If you are experiencing considerable pain in the legs, your physician may refer you to an orthopedist (doctor who specializes in podiatry).

What can you do

When you go to the doctor, wear your normal shoes, you wear every day, because the doctor will likely want to see how the way you wear out shoes. Before the visit to the doctor, you can prepare answers to the following questions:

• When you first began to disturb foot problems?
• Do you have other health problems, and if so, which ones?
• Do flatfoot your parents, brothers or sisters?
• Did you ever have an injury of the foot or ankle?
• What medications and supplements you take regularly?

What to expect from the visit to the doctor

Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:

• In a particular place you feel the pain?
• Are there any special position in which the pain is weakened or strengthened?
• Do your feelings change when you wear your shoes?
• Can you stand on one foot fingertips?
• Did you try to wear insoles insoles?
• How does your pain affect your life?

Surveys and Diagnostics

During the physical examination, the doctor will examine your feet in front and behind, and ask you to stand on tiptoe to evaluate the mechanics of the feet. It may also look at your shoes to see the places where she wears.

If your feet badly hurt, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:

• X-ray. Simple x-ray picture is done in order to evaluate the bones and joints of the feet. This is especially helpful in the diagnosis of arthritis.
• Computed tomography (CT). This unit makes a stop X-rays under a variety of different angles, and provides much more detailed information than a conventional X-ray.
• Ultrasonography (US). If the doctor suspects a tendon injury, he may prescribe ultrasound, which uses sound waves to produce accurate images of soft tissues.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using radio waves and a powerful magnet, MRI provides an excellent detailed information about the hard and soft tissues.

Treatment

If the flat gives you pain, your doctor may suggest the following treatments:

• Arch supports (orthotics). Insoles, insoles, sold without a prescription, can relieve the pain caused by flat feet. Or your doctor may suggest you make the insoles insoles for individual orders, which will follow the contours of your feet. Insoles not correct flat feet, but they often relieve the symptoms.
• Stretching exercises. Some people with flat feet have a shortened Achilles tendon. Stretching exercises of the tendon may be useful.
• Proper shoes. Shoes with a large arch support may be more comfortable than sandals or shoes with minimal support. Wear low-heeled shoes with a wide nose.

Transaction

Surgical operations do not only aim to correct flat feet. The operation can be assigned, if there is another problem associated with flat feet, such as tendon rupture.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you experience mild pain from flat feet, you can try the following means:

• Recreation. Avoid activities that worsen your condition. Engage more relaxed types of physical activity such as walking, biking or swimming instead of jumping or running.
• Insoles. It would be wise to try to wear different insole with arch supports, without a prescription.
• Medications. Can help non-prescription pain relievers.
• Weight loss. Lose weight, you will reduce the burden that falls on the foot.

Complications and forecasts

Usually flat feet do not cause significant problems with the feet. However, some experts have suggested that over-pronation of the foot can lead to such problems as:

• Violation of the tibialis
• The curvature of the big toe out
• Metatarsalgia (pain in the forefoot in the pads at the base of the fingers)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Pain in the knees

Flat feet can reduce the ability of the depreciation of the foot, which can lead to back pain Back pain: Causes of chronic low back pain .