Are the arches on the inside of your feet flattened in a way that allows the entire sole to touch the floor when you stand up? If yes, you are suffering from Flat feet. What are Flat Feet or Fallen Arches? When we look at an adult foot from the inside, we usually notice an upward curve in the middle called an arch. The arch is formed by Tendons which are tight bands that attach the heel and foot bones. Several tendons in our feet and lower leg work together to form the arches in our foot.When all the tendons pull the proper amount, our foot forms a moderate, normal arch. When the tendons do not pull together properly, there is little or no arch. This is the condition called Flat foot or Fallen arch. Flat feet could be a common and usually a painless condition, when the arches just don’t develop during childhood or in some other cases, it develops after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age. Flat Feet Signs or Symptoms : If you aren’t having pain, flat feet does not normally call for any treatment but this condition can sometimes contribute to problems in your ankles and knees as it can lead to alter the alignment of your legs. Most people have no signs or symptoms associated with flatfeet. But some people with flatfeet experience foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch area and this pain may worsen with activity. It can also lead to swelling along the inside of the ankle. Other factors that increase the risk of flat feet include obesity, injury to your foot or ankle, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and ageing. Arches can fall over time. Years of wear and tear can weaken the tendon that runs along the inside of your ankle and helps support your arch. But nothing to worry, your local Podiatrist at Health & Style Medical Centre is always at your rescue. Just call us on 02 633 0515 / 055 511 6072 to schedule an appointment. Flat feet in Children: Flat foot can be quite normal in infants and toddlers as the arch of the foot is still under development in this stage. Generally these arches develop throughout childhood but in some people, these arches may never develop. This is a normal variation in foot type and people without arches may or may not have problems.Some children have flexible flatfoot, a condition in which the arch is visible when the child is sitting or standing on tiptoes but disappears when the child stands. Most children outgrow flexible flatfoot without any problems. Flat Feet or Fallen Arches Treatment Wait no longer when the pain factor strikes! Do not ignore your child if they complain of foot pain. You need to seek professional advice to avoid future complications. Visit us at Health & Style Medical Centre, 1st Floor Office, BHS Building, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi to find the root cause. We are open Sunday – Thursday (9:00am-6:30pm) and alternate Saturdays too!