The midsection of the foot should create a small arch between the heel and ball of the foot. Flat feet or fallen arches happen when that arch is very shallow or absent and when you stand, the pads of the feet press into the ground. While flat feet might not be a painful condition, foot pain can result along with effects on your gait, causing pain in the ankles, knees, hips, and back.
Tendon injuries or fractures in the foot can cause flat feet. Rheumatoid or nerve damage in the foot can also lead to flat feet.
Flat feet occur normally in infants and children, with arches forming typically by age 6. The tendons holding the joints in the foot together tighten and create an arch as children grow older, and normal arches would be seen in most adults. The condition isn't typically a problem for most people, if flat feet causes pain or other problems, there are medical treatments available to address it.
Flat feets can pose problems if they persist after childhood or occur in adulthood. Types of flat feet incude:
Flat feet may run in your family while others may develop the condition later in life. Certain conditions can also increase your risk of developing flat feet, including:
Standing on your toes to check if arches form for your feet. If there is pain, a CT scan can be used to evaluate the bones. An MRI scan is helpful for checking the tendons and an X-ray can be used to identify if there is arthritis.
