Adult acquired flat foot is most commonly characterised by pain and swelling around the inside of the ankle, due to soft tissue changes.
It is most commonly seen in women over 40, but can present in either sex at any age. Usually it occurs in only one foot along with ankle pain and difficulty walking. It shouldn’t be confused with inherited flat feet, which occurs in both feet from a very young age and is normal.
Because of its progressive nature it is best dealt with as early as possible, where conservative measures are best placed.
Flat feet can be caused by:
This can be as simple as removing some of the causes such as changing ill-fitting, worn-out footwear, losing weight or modifying activities to non-weight-bearing exercise such as swimming or cycling.
The most common pain relief solutions are:
You may want to try the exercises below and see which is most suitable for you:
It is normal to feel some discomfort with stretching but the stretch should not be painful. If you have new pain or your current symptoms worsen stop doing the exercises.
If you have a problem which does not improve as you would expect with self-care, you should contact a healthcare professional for advice. This may be your GP, Pharmacist, NHS Podiatry Service or a Private Podiatrist.
Please make sure your podiatrist is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and look out for the letters HCPC after their name.
Please note good compliance with daily stretching may take up to 6 – 8 weeks before the benefits are felt.
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