What Causes Flat Feet & Are Flat Feet Bad?

Flat feet – they’re a common cause of concern for many people. We are often asked:

• Why are my feet flat?
• Will I develop arches?
• Do orthotics help arches develop?
• Are flat feet bad?
• Are they the reason my feet are aching?
• Do my child’s flat feet mean that they’re going to get foot pain in the future?

These are all great questions, and it’s clear that there’s a lot of uncertainty around what flat feet really mean for you and your foot health. So to help, our experienced Podiatrists here at Masterton Foot Clinic are sharing all about flat feet!

 

Why do some people have feet flat and others don’t?

For the majority of people, their flat feet are linked to characteristics like the shape and structure of their bones, the flexibility of their ligaments and tissues, and other similar factors that are determined by their DNA. This is opposed to something they’ve done or haven’t done in childhood. These characteristics may be inherited or they may not – flat feet can but don’t always run in families.

Other causes include injuries to the feet or ankles like posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, medical conditions or diseases like Charcot foot or arthritis that change the structure of the feet, having conditions that affect the flexibility or strength of the muscles and ligaments supporting the arch, like Ehlers Danlos syndrome and more.

 

How do I develop arches?

Arch development is a natural process that occurs in childhood. In infancy, children have a large fat pad on their feet which gives them a flat-footed appearance. Over the years, as they develop stronger and more defined muscles by using their feet more, and develop their gait, balance and coordination, arches form. This usually occurs by the age of seven.

This means that adults who have flat feet are unlikely to develop arches in adulthood, unless the cause of their flat feet is something recent that can be rehabilitated and repaired, like posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. 

 

Do orthotics help me get arches?

While orthotics are a fantastic and effective way of keeping flat feet supported to rehabilitate, reduce or eliminate certain problems, they do not change the shape of the arch, just like wearing glasses doesn’t improve your vision after you take your glasses off.

 

Are flat feet bad?

No, having flat feet is not inherently bad – unless they are accompanied by pain or other symptoms. With that said, the reason that flat feet do get such a bad wrap, is that they can make you more likely to develop pains and problems. 

Think of it this way: flat feet roll further towards the ground than ‘normal’ arched feet. This means that the muscles, ligaments and tendons involved with rolling your feet down and then lifting them up, work harder for longer. Working harder for longer 10,000 times per day, every day, makes you more likely to overuse and damage one of these structures, hence developing foot pain.

With this said, we know many people with flat feet that have never had foot pain, or have had problems unrelated to their flat feet. Every person is different, and there are so many other factors at play which can exacerbate problems associated with flat feet or support them. This ranges from the time spent on your feet for work, physical activities, footwear, other foot characteristics like the length of your metatarsal bones, and more.

 

Do flat feet cause foot aches?

Yes they can – and often do in the patients we see – though this isn’t a given. Like we mentioned above, when flat feet cause the muscles and tissues in your feet and legs to work harder, they can result in aches and pains.

Remember, there are a lot of other causes of achy feet, too. We don’t recommend assuming that flat feet are the sole cause of your foot pain, as it may lead you to make an incorrect diagnosis and start caring for your feet in a way that isn’t effective, wasting your time and money in the process.

Come in and see a podiatrist – we always perform a comprehensive assessment to understand where the damage is, what has really caused it, and what the best course of treatment is moving forwards.

 

Do my child’s flat feet mean that they’re going to get foot pain in the future?

No, it doesn’t. While neither of us can predict whether your child will develop foot pain as a result of their flat feet, the best thing you can be doing is keeping an eye on your child’s foot health. Pick up on any limping you notice and encourage them to let you know if something feels sore or not quite right. When this happens, get them to a podiatrist ASAP – before the problem gets worse and causes damage.

Help keep their feet supported by having them in good shoes, especially during physical activities, as well as school shoes because of the large amount of time they will spend in these during their childhood.

 

Still worried about flat feet?

Our podiatry team is here to help. We’ve been caring for Wairarapa’s foot health for almost 20 years, and would love to help you too. We work extensively with both adults and children, using best practice care to get the best results.

Book an appointment with us online here or call us on 06 370 4057.