Over time, your feet can begin to give you signs indicating the state of your foot health. The most obvious issues usually start with symptoms of inflammation or pain. This is especially true for adult-acquired foot issues, like flat feet. Even those who weren’t born with flat feet can end up with them later in life. After years of wear and tear on the tendons, they can become inflamed, stretched, or torn to create a flattened foot.
Causes – The following are other issues with side effects that lead to flat feet:
● Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD): This is the most common cause of adult-acquired flatfoot. This tendon connects the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the feet and holds up the arch. When there is an issue with the tendon, such as inflammation or tearing, the arch can collapse. People who participate in high impact activity or sports are more likely to experience PTTD.
● Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, especially, can cause adult-acquired flat feet. The cartilage and ligaments in the foot and ankle joints can be affected, not only causing pain, but also deformity. The changes can cause the flattened arch.
● Injury: Foot or ankle injuries can cause problems to the tendons, ligaments, and bones. The injuries can cause shifts, tears, dislocations, and fractures, which can lead to flat feet.
● Charcot Foot from Diabetes: This condition causes weakening of the bones, which causes a worse injury because there is nerve damage (especially for those with diabetic neuropathy). Because nerve damage often leads to loss of sensation, pain is ignored and deformities can form or worsen.
● Obesity: As your weight increases, more pressure is applied on the feet. It can cause the feet to flatten over time, especially if there is extreme excessive weight. It can lead to inflamed or injured ligaments, and flattened arches.
In addition to the physical appearance of flattening feet, you may experience the following symptoms (depending on the cause of adult-acquired flatfoot): pain and/or swelling along the inside of the foot and ankle; pain that gets worse with activity or long periods of standing; pain on the outside of the ankle bone; or pain from the development of bony bumps (or spurs).
If you experience any of these symptoms, they may point to issues developing on your feet. Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.