Flat Foot

When you have a flat foot, the instep of your foot becomes level with the ground. However, there is no need to feel alarmed if you find flat feet in your baby since it takes time for the development of the longitudinal arch in infants. Usually flat feet are not painful and are simply caused due to the inward leaning or pronation of the ankle.

However, flat foot can be very painful in cases of more complications. It can be coupled with swollen ligaments, bunions, shin splints and calluses. Hence, it is wise to take early notice of the problem if your child complains of frequent lower leg and ankle pain. You must know which symptoms are typical to flat foot problems.

Foot pain and especially lower leg pain can be a potent pointer to structural defects of the leg. You must be on the lookout for uneven wearing of your shoe soles or see if the shoe inclines to the insides of your ankle. Do not rule out pain and inflammation along the insides of your ankle.

Apart from pronation, flat foot can be caused by tarsal coalition. In this condition, some of the foot bones coalesce leading to flat foot and restricted motion of the foot. A fallen arch due to prolonged damage of the tendons is another problem related to flat foot. Injured and swollen tendons are factors causing Tibialis Posterior Tendonitis. 

The most general ways of helping painful flat foot is by using orthotic devices like ankle braces, supportive taping and shoe inserts. You may also opt for prescriptive anti-inflammatory medication, surgery and physical therapy for prolonged relief from flat foot pain.