3. Anything that irritates or damages your plantar
fascia can cause plantar fasciitis, including:
• Being on your feet all day for work
• Playing sports
• Exercising or working on a hard surface (like a
warehouse floor or the sidewalk)
• Exercising without stretching or warming up
• Wearing shoes that don’t support your feet
well enough (like flip flops or flat, flexible
sneakers)
• Walking or standing barefoot while you’re at
home.
Causes
12. Types of Flat Feet
• Rigid Flat Feet: This is a condition in which the arch of the foot is
entirely flat and does not move when the foot is pressed against the
ground.
• Flexible Flat Feet: This is a condition in which the foot arch flattens
only when weight is placed on it. The arch then returns to its normal
shape once weight is removed.
• Congenital Flat Feet: This type of flat feet occurs from birth and can
be caused by genetic factors, neuromuscular disorders, or other
medical conditio
13. What causes Flat Feet?
• Flat feet may be caused by hereditary characteristics.
• It may also be caused by a number of medical disorders,
including diabetes, obesity, and nerve damage.
• Muscle weakness or tight tendons in the feet can cause the arches of
the foot to collapse.
• Wearing shoes with improper support may be a factor.
• Age-related changes in the foot structure which may lead to flatfoot
deformities.
14. SYPMTOMS
• Having pain in the feet, ankles, or knees.
• Unstable gait and difficulty with walking.
• Swelling of the foot along the inner arch.
• Low arches, or complete lack thereof when standing.
• Difficulty standing on toes.
• Pain in feet with prolonged standing or walking.
• Abnormal rotation of the foot when weight is applied.
15. COMPLICATIONS
• Pain or fatigue in the feet, ankles, or lower legs.
• Difficulty with walking, running, and sporting activities.
• Poor body postures due to lack of arch support leading to back
pain or discomfort in other parts of the body, such as hips and knees.
• Aching or burning sensations along the inside of the foot and ankle
when standing for long periods of time.
• Reduced range of motion in the ankle joint due to reduced flexibility
and stability resulting in greater difficulty with balance when standing
on one leg or uneven surfaces
16. Treatment
• Orthotics: Non-custom, off-the-shelf arch supports can provide arch
support, relieve strain on the pronated foot, reduce pain and improve
functionality.
• Heel pads: Properly placed heel pads in a shoe can help redistribute
pressure away from painful flat foot areas while improving cushioning and
providing better shock absorption.
• Physical therapy: exercises that strengthen the muscles around the arch of
your foot to support it and reduce strain on your feet when walking or
standing for long periods of time.
• Shoe modifications: Building up your shoes with an arch support insert
• Low Impact Activities: Swimming, biking
