Flat feet, also called pes planus, are a common foot deformity that may or may not affect your daily activities. People with the condition usually have no or low arches in one foot or both feet. Having flat feet in general does not make much difference to how your life goes on, even though many people believe that it can limit certain activities like walking and running. Some even suggest that it could be a result of the wrong footwear, while others claim that a surgical procedure may help correct the deformity. But before believing any of it, it is important to consult a specialist, which is why we spoke to Dr Shrikanth Madikattu, Consultant – Orthopaedic, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, to get some accurate answers and to debunk common myths about flat feet.
Also Read: Flat Feet: Symptoms, Causes And Risks
Myth 1: Everyone With Flat Feet Experiences Pain
According to Dr Madikattu, flat feet can increase the risk of some injuries, especially those caused by overuse, such as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinitis. It can also cause foot pain, especially in the heel or the arch area. This is attributed to the changed biomechanics that can cause higher stress on the lower limbs, the doctor explains.
However, he clarifies that not everyone with flat feet has these symptoms; some might not have any at all. In fact, he highlights that asymptomatic flat feet do not generally require any treatment at all.
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Myth 2: People With Flat Feet Cannot Participate In Sport Activities
Given the nature of the deformity, many people assume that having flat feet may restrict certain activities and may even discourage people from participating in sports. However, Dr Madikattu debunks this myth.
In fact, a 2009 study published in the journal Pediatrics looked at the feet of 218 children aged 11 to 15 and found no significant association between foot arch height and any of the 17 athletic performance measures, including balance, jumping, and coordination.
Even when comparing children with very flat feet to those with high arches, there were no differences in performance, the researchers noted.
Also Read: Flat Feet Condition: Know Types And Tips For Treatment
Myth 3: All Flat Feet Are The Same
“Another myth is that all flat feet are the same, which ignores the difference between flexible and rigid flat feet,” says Dr Madikattu.
While flexible flat feet have no arch when the person walks but make an arch when they sit or stand on their tiptoes, rigid flat feet display no arch at all.
Myth 4: All Cases Of Flat Feet Require Corrective Footwear
According to the expert, it is also wrong to assume that all cases of flat feet require corrective footwear.
“Many people with flat feet can live pain-free and active lives without any treatment,” he highlights, adding that although wearing the wrong shoes can make flat-foot patients more uncomfortable or increase their symptoms, this is rarely the underlying cause.
On the contrary, factors like weight and specific physical activities might affect their severity; structural flaws are essentially physical or inherited, he adds.