What is flat foot?
The anatomical structure of the foot enables it to perform a special task, the horizontal springing movement. This structure, called the arch, located on the inner side of the foot, is one of the most important structures in ensuring horizontal springing. There are various muscles that support this structure. However, the most important among them is the tibialis posterior muscle and tendon. As a result of this muscle not working for various reasons, a condition known as flat feet occurs. In Latin, flat feet are called pes planus. People with this problem are called flat feet among the public.
What are the reasons for the formation of flat feet?
Familial failure of this muscle, rupture of this muscle in rheumatic diseases, deterioration of the quality of this muscle in diabetic patients, permanent The use of flat shoes and excess weight disabling this muscle are among the most common causes.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
With the development of the disease in both children and adults, the inner arch of the foot becomes weaker. Collapse, decreased walking distance, early fatigue, leg and knee pain, and strain during sports are typical symptoms.
One of the common problems in patients is the development of inward pressing in order to contribute to springing when the normal springing of the foot is disrupted. Here, typically, the middle part of the foot leans inwards while the heel makes a tilting motion outwards. Accordingly, especially knee and waist pains are triggered, and finger deformities begin to occur in the forefoot.
The first option in the treatment of flat feet in children and adults is to control the complaints with an insole. The point that should not be forgotten is that insoles work like glasses in the treatment of flat feet. As long as the insoles are used, the foot behaves as if it has a curved structure, and accordingly, the complaints disappear. However, it should be known that the developed deformity will not be corrected. It is recommended that patients choose the ones specially prepared for the individual when choosing insoles.
Flat Foot Surgery
If the deformity progresses or the complaints increase despite the use of insoles, surgery is performed. The structure can be corrected. The surgery to be performed is decided depending on the patient's age, weight, stage of the disease and whether there is any other accompanying health problem. After the type of surgical treatment to be performed, the need and duration of plaster cast, physical therapy planning and use of special shoes are determined. Generally, there will be a 6-month recovery period after surgery.
Flat feet in children
When flat feet are observed in children, it is necessary to distinguish the following picture very carefully at this point. In this situation, which is called flexible flat feet, it is very typical for the child to have a very good arch when the foot is in the air, but when the foot steps on the ground, the arch disappears and the foot is turned inwards and flat feet are observed. In this table, it will be observed that in the vast majority of cases, surgical treatment will not be required and the complaints will disappear with the insoles used. It is an important detail that this condition is not a progressive condition.
Another condition seen in the early period in children is the appearance of temporary flat feet, which occurs as a result of slow muscle development. The most important differential diagnosis in such Flat Foot patients is the improvement of flat feet and in-toeing in children with age. In this table, insoles are used only in patients with pain and running problems until the table is adjusted.
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