Fallen arches and flat feet

Flexible flat foot

The degree of fallen arch is determined by, among other things, the relative sizes of the foot’s bones and muscle tone. Flexible flat feet usually do not cause symptoms in other parts of the body such as the knees, hips or back. If gait is poor, there can be secondary complaints in the knee or back.

Rigid flat foot

A rigid flat foot may be the result of a congenital anatomical abnormality. However, it is more often the result of degeneration or wear and tear of one or more joints in the foot caused by progressively negative evolution of this type of flat foot.

Fallen arches

Fallen arches are often accompanied by pain on the inside (medial) side of the hindfoot. This is not the same as regular flat feet. In advanced cases of fallen arches, the heel no longer moves inwards or standing on your toes is no longer possible.

Correctly diagnosing fallen arches requires radiography of both feet and ankles in a standing position. Sometimes, an MRI scan may be useful.

Latest publication date: 02/08/2024