Flat feet

The term flat feet (also called a fallen arch) is a medical condition in which human foot arches are very low or the entire sole of the human foot is touching the ground.

Flat feet
Other namesPes planus, fallen arches
Medical specialtyOrthopedics Podiatry

Flat feet in children may become regular arches later on. Adults with this condition may have problems involving arch development.

Lateral X-ray of a flat foot with C-sign, which is a bony bridge between the talar dome and sustentaculum tali, in combination with a prominent inferior border of the sustentaculum tali. This represents a talocalcaneal coalition, which is an abnormal connection between the talus and calcaneus, and is thought to cause the flat foot deformity in this case.
Lateral X-ray of a flat foot with C-sign, which is a bony bridge between the talar dome and sustentaculum tali, in combination with a prominent inferior border of the sustentaculum tali. This represents a talocalcaneal coalition, which is an abnormal connection between the talus and calcaneus and is thought to cause the flat foot deformity in this case.

The opposite, less common condition is called high arch.

References

  1. ↑ Franco, Abby Herzog 1987. Pes Cavus and Pes Planus analyses and treatment. Physical Therapy 67 (5): 688–94.
  2. ↑ Zhou B, Tang K, Hardy M (December 2014). "Talocalcaneal coalition combined with flatfoot in children: diagnosis and treatment: a review". Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 9 (1) 129. doi:10.1186/s13018-014-0129-9. PMC 4276075. PMID 25499625. S2CID 16663986. (CC BY 4.0)