Progressive flatfoot, also known as adult-acquired flatfoot or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction ( PTTD), is a very painful condition. Stretching exercises to loosen and strengthen the supporting tendons may also be recommended. Custom shoe inserts (orthotics) are most often recommended and are quite effective. The treatment your podiatrist recommends will depend upon the trouble and pain you're experiencing. Swelling on the inside bottom of your feet.Feet tire easily and become painful and achy, especially around the arch, ankle and heel.Trauma involving broken bones in the foot.Damage or inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon which runs from your lower leg, down and across your ankle, and connects to the middle of the arch.Damage to the tendons that support the arch.Some back problems can also be attributed to flat feet.įlatfoot in adults can appear for a number of reasons: They may also experience pain after standing for long periods of time or playing sports. But others with flat feet experience pain in the heel or arch area, difficulty standing on tiptoe, or have swelling along the inside of the ankle. Having flat feet can be painless and is actually normal in some people. But in some cases the arch doesn't form completely. The arch continues to develop throughout childhood, and by adulthood most people have developed normal arches. As children begin standing on their toes, the muscles start to develop and an arch appears. In infants and toddlers, prior to walking, the longitudinal arch is not developed and flat feet are normal. When the tendons do not pull together properly, there is little or no arch, resulting in Flatfoot deformity or fallen arches.Ĭhildren are born with flat feet. In a normal foot, the tendons in your foot and lower leg work together to form the arch. When the tendons all pull together properly, your foot forms a moderate, normal arch.

Fallen arches