Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Another cause of Ball of Foot Pain is over-pronation. Over-pronation (or excess pronation) occurs in a lot of people, especially as they get older. The arches drop and feet and ankles tend to roll inwards. Excessive pronation is a major contributing cause to heel pain and heel spurs, but it also can lead to Metatarsalgia. As the longitidunal arch collapses so does the transverse arch. The transverse arch is the arch that runs across the forefoot and is formed by the 5 metatarsal bones. The bones in the foot drop and the structure of the foot is severely weakened. Tight calf muscles is a major contributing factor to Plantar Fasciitis. Therefore this particular heel pain exercise is very important. Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall at about eye level. Put one leg about a step behind your other leg, keeping your back heel flat on the floor. Make sure this leg stays straight at all times. Now bend the knee of the front leg slowly, lowering your body until you feel a stretch in the calf of the back leg. Hold the stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat 4 times. Do the same for the other leg. While buying shoes for yourself, make sure that you don't make the decision on the visual appeal of the shoes. Buy shoes that not only fit you well, but also have other added features enabling improved arch support. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you could even buy good quality orthotic shoe inserts. It is also essential that any structural foot abnormality one may be suffering from is considered while one goes shopping for footwear. One can check out custom-made orthopedic shoes that are specifically designed as per one's size. There is a great need to provide support to all parts of the foot. The condition of flat feet in adults is known as “fallen arches.” Not all adults develop flat feet, and some people are more prone to developing the condition than others. An obese person puts extra weight on their feet while walking or standing. Over time, this can weaken the components that make up the arch and cause the arch to collapse. A woman who is pregnant may also suffer from flat feet during her pregnancy. The problem with developing flat feet as an adult is that in most cases the changes are permanent, if not bothersome. Doctors recommend using custom-made orthotics in shoes to treat the problem. Normal flat feet which are flexible and cause minimal discomfort can be treated without a doctor's prescription. On the other hand, if you complain of chronic foot pain or ankle pain, you may need arch supports to aid your feet. Orthotic nsoles and arch supports have been especially created to provide support for feet that suffer from biomechanical misalignment. Foot exercises are also helpful, and can be done at home, or under the supervision of a podiatrist. Muscular foot training is helpful for young children as the foot is still growing. There are chances that the arch may develop. However, this may not result in higher arches for adults. In discussing my foot pain with an orthopedist, I learned that my largest area of concern was the time of day that I purchase shoes. Surprisingly, as I have aged, my feet have become more apt to swell in the evenings. As a result, when I purchase shoes early in the day, believing I have selected the right size, I may actually be purchasing a shoe that too small to wear in the evening after my feet have become slightly swollen. At my doctor's direction, my first goal was to begin buying shoes in the evening. The most common symptoms of flat feet are pain and discomfort especially in the arch and heel area. Prolonged walking and standing can be uncomfortable in people with collapsed arches. Often, there is a swelling in the inner bottom of the foot. Due to lack of a supportive arch, there is substantial pressure on other parts of the foot leading to strained posture and restrained foot movement. A fallen arch can strain the ligament and tendons, which occasionally cause the bones, in the ankle and foot area, to collapse. Flat feet can also contribute to back, hip or leg pain, ankle sprains and arthritis. Relief From Flat Feet Individuals with bunions or painful bone spurs in the heel also typically find orthopedic devices beneficial. Heel spurs, as their name implies, develop when a sliver of the person’s bone grows abnormally and juts out at an angle that is not natural, causing discomfort and pain. Arch supports for flat feet often decrease pressure in the area of the patient’s heel, and therefore lessening the number of uncomfortable symptoms he or she experiences. Virtually any person who is faced with one or more of the foot disorders mentioned above should talk to a primary health care professional about using orthopedic footwear or arch supports. As flat feet and fallen arches are the most common problems, so there are a number of products have been introduced that can help you to correct and restore your foot functions. One of the most common devices in those products is Arch Support insoles. These supports come in form of devices that can easily insert in the shoes and give your arches the right kind of support they need and also help to correct the function of your foot. The main purpose of supports is to give you proper stability while you are running, walking or standing.