Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Flat Feet: When to Worry
Flat feet (pes planus) -- a low or absent medial arch of the foot -- are extremely common, present in approximately 20-30% of the population. Crucially, most flat feet are asymptomatic and require no treatment. The decision to treat flat feet should be based on symptoms (pain, functional limitation) rather than the appearance of the foot or the degree of arch collapse on imaging.
Symptomatic Flat Feet
Symptomatic flat feet cause: medial foot and ankle pain (from the overloaded medial structures), plantar fasciitis (excess pronation increases plantar fascia tension), tibialis posterior tendinopathy (the key arch-supporting tendon becomes overloaded), knee pain (excess pronation causes increased tibial internal rotation, affecting knee mechanics), and lower back pain (from altered lower limb biomechanics).
Physiotherapy Treatment
Foot and Ankle Strengthening
Evidence supports strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles and tibialis posterior for symptomatic flat feet. Key exercises: short foot exercise (activating the intrinsic foot muscles to raise the arch), single-leg heel raises with arch maintenance, tibialis posterior loading exercises.
Orthotic Advice
For moderate to severe symptomatic flat feet, medial arch orthotic support (prefabricated or custom) provides immediate symptom relief. We assess whether over-the-counter or custom orthotics are appropriate.
Footwear Advice
Motion-control or stability running shoes for overpronators reduce symptomatic flat foot pain during exercise. Avoiding completely flat footwear.
Flat Feet Treatment in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we provide accurate assessment of symptomatic flat feet. Book your foot assessment today.