Flat Feet Disease

Flat feet are caused by a drop in the arch of the foot. This arch (arch of the foot), located on the inside of the foot, plays a major role in the springing of the foot while walking. In the formation of this arch, different muscles work to support the arch. The posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) is the most important muscle supporting this arch. In the deterioration of this muscle, flat feet occur with the collapse of the arch. Flat feet is a type of foot, it can be painless or there are cases that cause pain.

What Causes Flat Feet (pes planus)?

It can be seen with various diseases as well as flat feet disease due to genetic reasons originating from the family;

tear of the muscle supporting the arch of the foot,
or the failure of this muscle to function due to diabetes/rheumatic causes,
excessive weight gain
use flat-soled shoes for daily use.
What Causes Flat Feet (pes planus), What are the Symptoms?

In people with flat feet, the arch on the inside of the foot collapses and consequently;

fatigue is quick when walking,
pain in the legs ,
difficulty in doing sports.
When walking, the foot presses inward because the springing movement and load distribution cannot be provided regularly, and this inward pressing causes various pains in the knee and lower back.

Deformity and deformation may occur in the foot.

This condition, which can be seen both in childhood and adulthood, can be controlled with foot analysis, gait analysis and custom-made insoles.

Thanks to the personalized insoles placed in the shoes, the curve structure is supported during walking and the problems that arise as a result of flatfoot and inward pressure are reduced (especially back and leg pain). If the deformity is severe, the insoles cannot provide adequate correction.

How is Surgery Performed in Flat Feet (pes planus) Disease?

Surgeries to correct the level of the disease and foot deformity in people with flat feet are performed depending on the age, medical condition and severity of the complaints. After the surgery, a half plaster cast treatment lasting about 6 weeks is applied, then gradually the load is started to be placed on it. Afterwards, physical therapy may be necessary and special shoes may be needed.

What is the difference between flat feet (pes planus) in children?

Flat feet seen in children can be eliminated to a great extent with the use of custom-made insoles. Flexible flat feet is also another condition observed. Temporary flat feet, which occurs in children with slow muscle development, improves with the advancement of age, and inward pressure disappears over time. In flat feet seen in children, there is a curve in the foot, but this curve disappears when the child steps on the ground. This condition is called flexible flat feet. However, in rigid flat feet, there is no curve in the person in any case.

What are the Alternative Treatment Methods to Surgery for Flat Feet (pes planus)?

People who walk with inward pressure experience increasing pain, especially in the afternoon. Early fatigue and standing becomes difficult. The pain is usually concentrated in the heel and shin. One of the recommended treatment methods for painful flat feet is cold complex application. Using medications to alleviate pain, special shoes and personalized insoles, physical therapy, giving pain-reducing mixtures into the joint are alternative treatment methods to surgery.

If success is not achieved with all non-surgical treatments, the surgical process begins. Surgery to be performed

The bones in the foot and ankle can be fused together,
The bone may need to be cut and reshaped,
The sheath surrounding the tendon can be cleaned or removed (excision) or the protruding bone can be completely removed,
Curve function can be achieved by tendon transfer (fiber transplantation).

With more than 20 years of experience, we serve our patients in our polyclinic. You can contact us for all your flat feet problems. You can reach us at any time through the channels on our web page.