Flat Feet vs Orthotics

A flat foot, also known as fallen arches, is a condition in which the arches of the feet are to low or non-existent. The arch of a foot is the distance of the inner side of the foot to the ground. When the gap is too small or completely non-existent, it is referred to as a flat foot. It is a common condition occurring in about 45% to 50% of the population and it can be present at birth or develop later in life due to various factors, such as not wearing the correct shoes, injuries to the Achilles tendon and in some cases, not sitting correctly.

Problems Associated with Flat Feet
For some people flat feet are asymptomatic, which means the person may not experience any pain or discomfort with the condition. However, for most people with flat feet the condition can be painful and it can lead to other problems with legs and feet such as shin splints, knee pain, and plantar facilitis or Achilles tendonitis. The most common complaint of those with this condition is severe pain in ankles and/or heels, especially when walking. Elderly people who have flat feet are risk of damaging their entire skeletal system or excessive pain in the hips, knees and legs. Not correcting the problem can make feet less flexible, cause swelling, cause back problems and in extreme cases cause temporary paralysis.

Orthotics Treatment for Flat Feet
Wearing good fitting, low-heeled shoes are the first defensive to relieving flat feet. If the shoes do not have sufficient insoles it can cause misalignment of the feet inside of the shoes, which creates more strain on feet, especially flat feet. The arch area becomes strained and pulls on the ligaments in the feet, which may lead to arthritis. Treatment typically requires wearing esthetics to stabilize and correctly align the feet. Orthotics is insoles that have been made with materials designed to provide good cushioning. They are inserts that are slipped into the shoes, between the sole of the shoe and the foot.

Benefits of
Orthotics are available in a variety of degrees for the arch width, for example one of the most common problems with flat feet is over-pronation, which is when the feet roll inwards when stepping, orthotics correct this problem by placing a wedge in the arch area to help feet fall evenly against the weight of the body. Orthotics provide a number of benefits for people with flat feet including their ability to absorb shock, which reduces the pressure on feet, helps to relive the pain, strengthens arches and may eliminate the need for corrective surgery. Custom orthotics not only help to support the arches of feet, but they are beneficial in treating other conditions such as heel spurs, neuromas, neck pain and back pain.