Pes planus, or flat feet, is a postural deformity in which the arch of the foot collapses, causing the sole of the foot to nearly touch the ground. Humans are born with naturally flat feet but should form arches during early childhood. If arches don’t develop, people experience intense pain that greatly affects walking.
The arches are made of bones and connective tissues. The arches of your feet play a crucial role in walking mechanics. They act as a shock absorber and protect the nerves in the soles of your feet.
Though there are many variations of flat feet or fallen arches, what defines Pes Planus is
The arch on the inside of your sole is flattened and appears to touch the ground
The flattened arch causes your heel to point out and your ankle to roll in
Your talus bone (ankle bone) sticks out
To learn more about the different types of flat feet, click here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/flat-feet-pes-planus
Symptoms of Pes Planus:
Foot pain after walking
Ankle pain from the ankle leaning in towards the body
Shin splints occur from overcompensating
Gait disorders
Bunions or Hammertoe
Pain in knees, hips or lower back
Causes or risk factors for Pes Planus:
Congenital causes: conditions present at birth (due to genes / genetic disorders)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21751-genetic-disorders
Tibial tendon dysfunction: a chronic form of tendonitis
Arthritis
Diabetes related nerve damage
Foot fracture
How can we help you?
At Total Rehabilitation, our team includes a Chiropodist who can evaluate your arches and analyze your walking biomechanics. They can also fit you for custom orthotic shoe inserts to help manage pain and alleviate symptoms associated with flat feet.
Visiting our physiotherapist can also help build strength in your feet through guided stretching and pain-relieving exercises.
Our chiropractor can evaluate your movement patterns and use joint manipulation alongside targeted care to address any additional musculoskeletal dysfunctions that may be negatively impacting your Pes Planus.
