Flat feet is a medical condition when the arch of the foot collapses and the entire sole of the foot touches the ground. It is also called fallen arch or pronated foot. It is a fairly common foot problem about 20-30% of the population never develops a full arch on one foot or on both feet.
It can be hereditary or it can develop at a later age. Some flatfooted people have flexible flatfoot when an arch appears when the toes are rolled back or the person is standing on his or her heel. People with arthritis and diabetes can develop fallen arch too. Obesity and foot or ankle injury are risk factors too.
An early sign of flat feet is when the shoes wear unevenly. Flat feet can be painful. A flatfooted person can develop pain in the ankle (inner side with some swelling), the arch of the foot, the foot in general, the calf, the knee, the hip and the back.
There are various ways to decrease the pain. For a swollen ankle an anti-inflammatory drug and an ice pack can be temporary relief. People with flat feet often wear over-the-counter or custom-fitted arch supports. Sometime wearing extra wide shoes helps too. Wearing a night splint will also reduce the pain especially for those who also have plantar fasciitis (pain and inflammation in the ligaments in the soles of feet). There are excises for flatfooted people which could strengthen the arches. You can find plenty of videos on YouTube.
If you don't take care of your foot problem you can make it worse and end up with Achilles tendonitis, arthritis in the foot (feet), arthritis in the ankle(s), plantar fasciitis.
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