Problems with flat foot :(

Hi everyone,

I have flat feet and I have knee pain.

I went to my physio, she said that my foot arch is too flat ( hence flat foot) therefore the shock absorption is not correct, meaning lots of shock goes straight to my knees and hips.

Note:(After doing my own research, I believe my problem is over-pronation. So if I step on water, and step on, say, paper, the whole foot can be seen on that paper.)

To make long story short, she told me to buy running shoes that are straight and have a good support on the arch. I don't mind, and I am happy, Im about to buy these new shoes today.

However, my question is, do I have to rely on this type of shoes (shoes that have support) for the rest of my life?

I play soccer too, so willl I have to use soccer shoes that have arch support? Hmmm, what if I am at home, when I am not wearing any footwear, how will I get the support I need?

Thanks for reading.

Correcting Biomechanics is unique to everyone. You certainly need something to raise your arch. If you already have a good pair of shoes you could look into getting a pair of orthotic insoles from a qualified physio or podiatrist.
As for needing it your entire life... like i say it's unique. I used to get shin splints but after a year of insoles I grew out of them and am fine now.
The body remodels based on the stress it is put under - so by wearing correct footware all the time your foot will begin to remodell to be in a better alignment - this can take years however. You can look at strengthening the muslces of pronation, as this can help to reduce your pain, your physio should help you with this.
Unofortunatly walking around barefoot won't make you better.
You can buy insoles for you soccer boots rather than replacing them
Hope this helps

Wow, thanks for a great and fast reply!

Anyway, are you certain about the body "remodelling" when I use the correct footwear for a long time?

That really makes me happy. So I just have to wear the right footwear, and at home, obviously I wont have to wear any footwear :) and long time, my foot should be betteR?

Yeah, my physio said to strengthen my hip, quads and buttocks muscle.

Thanks agani!

Oh, and one more thing, should I get soccer shoes with support too?
Additional Comment I forgot:
Hmmm weird....my previous post didnt even appear....

Are you certain about if using the correct footwear for a long time, my body will "remodel"??? that is really good news!!

Obviously at home I wont wear footwear tho :)



Thanks again!

If you can get soccerr shoes with support too and you want to pay for them then go for it. Like I say, insoles can be a cheaper option.
You should be trying to wear appropriate footwear as often as you can even in home. The more your foot is in correct alignment the less pain you'll get.
Via Wolff's Law: The internal architecture of the trabeculae will undergoes adaptive changes, followed by secondary changes to the external cortical portion of the bone, as a responce to external stresses on that bone. Hense there is every possibility that with long term use of footware that biomechanically corrects your alignment that your bones will remodel to match that.
You should start a strengthening program also however so your not neglecting the muscles.

good luck

yes strengthening the apropriate musculature is as if not more important than the insoles, dont neglect this part of the problem even if you put on the shoes and your problem goes away. Your local physio will be able to help you with this.

SST

Hello,
I also have shin splints on the inside of my calves due to flat feet. I was given insoles and told not to do any running.

The problem is that I do a lot of martial arts and have to have bare feet when doing it.. is there anything I can do to either support my feet or help my shin splints?

Thank you!

Hi kakaislegend and Helzbells

A recent publication of the AAP on flatfeet and kids Vol. 123 No. 3 March 2009, pp. e386-e392
Flat-Footedness Is Not a Disadvantage for Athletic Performance in Children Aged 11 to 15 Years -- Tudor et al. 123 (3): e386 -- Pediatrics is all I could find on the subject.....

The people I have treated with flatfeet and pain problems have found the best solution to be a good inlay. This should be tailormade and fit all your sports shoes.

Shinsplints is a different thing alltogether....you have to be careful then. Once you are allowed to restart sports, the barefootedness during martial arts training should not be a problem for the flatfeet at all. You are being very active at that moment and will only strain yourself if you are held in some (strange)position for a longer period of time.

good uck to you all

Esther

helzbellz - If you can't wear shoes then use strapping tape to help support the arch.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~atoyama/Pres...ppt#278,23,Fan arch support
I googled and found that referance for you - fan arch support looked most similar to how i do mine.
Apart from strapping - there are offloading straps we used to use for shin splints, but better to just start with a arch support strap and also get some exercises for the supinators... the shin splints have 3 causes and most commonly it is a overuse of the supinators trying to correct the over pronation. By strengthening those muscles you can help to decrease your pain.
Visit a physio for more detailed advise on how to do those exercises

hi..really need ur help...i'm having a fren with flat foot..and now he is 26 years old...i've bought insoles for him...(scholl brand)...and it doesnt help much due to discomfort during wearing it...so what should i do next? if physiotherapy how? what kind of insoles that suits him?? please help me...he needs exercise due to hypercholestrolemia...