Pes planus is where there is no distinctive arch on the sole of the foot. This can cause just as much discomfort and issues of having a high arch. to diagnose this, your Physiotherapist will observe your feet and walking patter to identify any movement issues.
The flat foot can be due to a large number of issues affecting the structures around the foot and ankle, some more common than others. Inherent bone deformities can be the reason behind flat feet in children, but surprisingly, the adult acquired flat foot is strongly correlated to muscle damage. A tear or weakness in one of the muscles responsible for lateral stability can cause the ankle to roll inwards and caused this appearance of a flat foot. However, it doesn’t have to be a complete tear for feet to always appear like this. over activity in some calf muscles can also cause the same issues as chronic tightness in this area can position the heel to cause the arch of the foot to tighten and be dragged down into this flat footed position. This is often treated by your therapist with manual treatment, a strict stretching and flexibility program, as well as exercises to strengthen the muscles as the front of the shin. Shoe orthotics can be also highly beneficial too as they can decrease the load on the medial (inner) portion of the foot and place the foot into a more asnatomocally correct position.