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Temporary Relief for Flat Foot Pain

The average person travels more than 100,000 miles on foot in a lifetime, but for people suffering with flat foot pain, it's a struggle just to stand or walk for any sustained period of time. For the temporary pain that heavy activity incites in flat foot sufferers, solutions exist that offer relief and aid against the damage flat foot causes other parts of the body.

  1. Types of Flat Foot

    • The various forms of flat foot all share one characteristic---partial or total collapse of the arch. There are two primary types: 1) Flexible flat foot, where the arch is visible when the foot is not bearing any weight and 2) Rigid flat foot, where the arch is not present in either case.

    Causes of Flat Foot

    • Flexible flat foot is caused by lax ligaments in the foot, which results in a flattened arch. The condition is heredity. Rigid flat foot, however, is caused by abnormal foot development, due to genetics or another condition, such as cerebral palsy. A bone fracture, torn or stretched tendon, arthritis, or a sedentary lifestyle triggers adult onset flat foot.

    Effects of Flat Foot

    • Flat foot can exacerbate conditions like toe drift (where the toes point outward), heel tilts, bunions, and hammertoes. Flat foot may also lead to the misalignment of other structures of the feet, causing pain to develop in the arch, calf, and lower back.

    Prevention/Treatments

    • Temporary flat foot pain can be relieved by modifying activities, avoiding prolonged walking or standing, and losing weight. You can also consider getting fitted for orthotic inserts by a foot or ankle surgeon. Precise molds of the contours of your feet, these custom inserts provide the best support for arches. They can be moved from one pair of shoes to another. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like ibuprofen, diminish pain and inflammation. Other treatments include ultrasound, physical therapy, and opting for wide shoes with good arch support. Flat foot sufferers should also rest their feet and apply ice to the tender area.

    Time Frame

    • Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some never develop arches. It's also possible for arches to fall over time.

    Contributing Factors

    • Health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, may increase the risk of developing flat foot. Overweight adults also often suffer from flat foot.

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