When gazing at a mature foot, you’ll notice its upward arch in the center. The upward curve is called an arch.
Tendons (taut bands) play a vital part that connects the heel and foot bones. Moreover, the arches in your foot get formed by several tendons in your foot and lower leg working together.
When all of the tendons in your foot pull in the same direction, your foot develops a mild, normal arch.
There is little or no arch when tendons do not draw together. It gets referred to as a flat foot or a fallen arch.
How to Confirm If You Have A Fallen Arch?
Do you want to confirm if you have a fallen arch? Well, it is not that difficult.
You can quickly determine if you have fallen arches or flat feet by doing a simple test. Follow these three steps to get started:
- The first step is to get your toes in the clear warm water.
- Now, step on a smooth surface, such as a concrete walkway, where your footprint will be visible.
- Take a step back and examine the prints. If the bottoms of your feet leave entire imprints on the surface, you probably have flat feet.
Flat feet, sometimes known as flexible flat feet, affect a large number of young children. The child’s feet appear leveled as they stand. A tiny arch occurs when the youngster rises to their toes. Moreover, it usually emerges as children grow older.
Causes of Fallen Arches
There are a variety of explanations that can be considered and identified as the causes of fallen arches.
There are two types of causes for fallen arches: minor and major causes of fallen arches.
1. Major Causes of Fallen Arches
The following are the major causes of fallen arches.
- Abnormalities that have existed since birth
- Tendons that have been stretched or torn
- The posterior tibial tendon (PTT), which runs across your lower leg to the center of the arched, can be damaged or inflamed.
- Bones that have been broken or dislocated
- Health conditions might be a cause of fallen arches, mainly rheumatoid arthritis.
- If a person has nerve problems
2. Minor Causes of Fallen Arches
Here are the reasons that fall into the minor causes of fallen arches. Some other causes that can lead to increased risk entail:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Aging
- Pregnancy
Symptoms for Fallen arches
Many people have fallen arches and are unaware that they have them. An examination of the signs and symptoms of falling arches will be beneficial. It helps them think and decide if they require treatment?
Below are the signs and symptoms of fallen arches:
- Feet get tired quickly.
- Feet that are painful or achy, especially in the arches and heels
- The bottoms of your feet get swollen on the inside.
- It’s tough to move your feet, such as standing on your toes.
- You experience back leg pain.
It’s time to see a medical professional for any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
Rather than being uncertain when reviewing the symptoms of falling arches, a diagnosis of fallen arches is the key to determining if you have them. During the diagnosis of fallen arches, two things get taken under examination:
- The type of your feet
- The reason for the type
During the diagnosis of fallen arches the examination will have the following steps:
- Your medical history for any illnesses or injuries that exist linked to flat feet or collapsed arches.
- Look for odd wear patterns on the soles of your shoes.
- Muscle and tendon strength, including tendons in the feet and legs. Mainly the Achilles tendon and the posterior tibial tendon are tested.
- Having feet X-rayed or having an MRI.
Treatment for Fallen Arches
The treatment of Falling arches is different depending on the degree and source of the problem. Therapy is unlikely to be required if fallen arches do not cause pain or other difficulties.
In some situations, your doctor may recommend therapies as the treatment of fallen arches
- To ease discomfort and minimize swelling, use rest and ice.
- Frequent stretching exercises
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, for example, are pain relievers.
- Physical therapy
- Orthotics, shoe modifications, braces, or casts are all options.
- Injected anti-inflammatory medicines, such as corticosteroids
However, the above-mentioned treatments are useless if you have severe foot pain. Your doctor might recommend surgery, and it may include the following:
- fusing the bones of the foot or ankle (arthrodesis)
- Bones or bony growths, often known as spurs, are removed (excision)
- Bones or bony growths, often known as spurs, are removed (excision)
- The bone is cut or shaped differently (osteotomy)
- Adding tendons from other parts of your body to tendons in your foot can assist balance the tendons’ “pull” and build an arch (tendon transfer)
- Adding bone grafts to your foot to help the arch rise naturally (lateral column lengthening)
Home Remedies
The best and most convenient choice to attempt is home remedies. Many home treatments can help you avoid or manage pain caused by falling arches or flat feet.
- Wear proper footwear or shoe inserts for your activity.
- Pain can be relieved at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.
- When Looking for medical treatments, consult your previous doctors first.
- Request that your doctor or physical therapist demonstrate stretches that will help you prepare for activities that need you to be on your feet for long periods.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are all risk factors that can aggravate falling arches or flat feet.
- Avoid activities that exert too much strain on your feet, such as road running.
- Basketball, hockey, soccer, and tennis are all high-impact sports to avoid. With the growth in popularity of basketball, there are certainly even more need to focus on foot health.
- Know when to seek assistance. It’s best to see the professional for a comprehensive checkup and medication if your pain is severe or interfering with your daily activities.
Bottom Line
Fallen arches are a common occurrence that can get recognized
Falling arches can exist caused by a variety of factors, including deformities and other factors. The signs and symptoms of falling arches are simple and can get addressed by a professional or with home remedies.