What is flatfoot?

Flatfoot (pes planus) refers to the collapse or disappearance of the medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch, and transverse arch of the foot, resulting in functional impairment and pain during standing, walking, or jumping. So, what exactly is flatfoot? Let’s explore this further.

What Is Flatfoot?

In most cases, “flatfoot” refers to pes planus—a foot deformity characterized by a low or absent foot arch. This arch abnormality may arise from congenital or acquired factors. Patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation and appropriate treatment, as outlined below:

1. Congenital factors: Congenital underdevelopment of the bones, muscles, and ligaments comprising the foot can lead to pes planus. Such conditions include calcaneal valgus deformity, vertical talus, an enlarged navicular tuberosity, accessory navicular bone or unfused secondary ossification centers, and congenital ligamentous or muscular laxity.

2. Acquired factors: Prolonged weight-bearing standing, weight gain, excessive fatigue from long-distance walking, and gradual weakening of the soft tissues—such as muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, and fascia—that support the foot arch can all contribute to progressive flattening of the arch and subsequent pes planus. Additionally, prolonged bed rest due to chronic illness, lack of physical activity, muscle atrophy, reduced muscle tone, and arch collapse under load may also cause acquired flatfoot.

Patients with pes planus should adopt preventive and corrective measures targeting the underlying causes—for example, adjusting work-rest schedules for standing occupations and wearing properly supportive footwear. If conservative management proves ineffective, surgical interventions such as calcaneal medial displacement osteotomy may be considered.

We hope the above information is helpful to you.