Flat feet, also known as fallen arches or pes planus, is a condition where the arches of your feet collapse. With flat feet, your feet's soles come in contact with the ground. About 20% to 30% of the people in this world have problematic arches, where some have their foot arch undeveloped in just one foot, while others have undeveloped arches in both.

You can have flat feet at birth, or acquire it as you grow old. If you acquire flat feet later in your life, it means that the condition has developed over time because of some factors like wearing the wrong pair of shoes and problematic sleeping and sitting positions. The collapsing of arches may occur to compensate for other conditions and abnormalities on your leg. If ligaments rupture, you are most likely to have your arches to collapse. Other conditions that cause flat feet are tightness of Achilles tendon and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

Go your feet a chance by following these simple tips:

Proper Footwear – Wear a pair of shoes that provides stability on your feet, especially on the arches. A good pair of shoes, like those with motion control, offers great support and prevents further arching of the feet. With proper footwear, you get away with more flat feet-related injuries.

Motion control shoes are recommended for people who have flat feet and love to run at the same time. This pair of shoes is designed to absorb the impact your feet create when landing. Runners who wear motion control shoes can enjoy their chosen sports activity while preventing more damage to their feet.

For kids who have flat feet, tell them to wear orthopedic children's shoes. Orthopedic shoes for adults are also available on the market, but cannot be worn by all adults with flat feet. Wearing orthopedic shoes for adults depends on the severity of the condition. If no pair of orthopedic shoes seems to fit you, you can always go for custom orthotics.

Custom Orthotics – Custom orthotics help support the arches of your feet and treat other conditions like neuromas, heel spurs, neck, back, knee and foot pain. Physicians initially take measurements of your feet to calculate the shape and size of your custom orthotics. Technicians, on the other hand, perform steps to cerate your non-compressing, shock-absorbing, supportive, flexible and durable arch-controlling device. Typically, custom orthotics are done after five working days. With custom orthotics, you can wear casual and dress shoes without feeling any pain at all.

Surgery – If your feet are not responding to therapies and are still as painful as they have always been, then surgery is your next best option. You can get flat feet from birth, or from an accident, and surgery can correct the arches of your feet.

Through surgery, the function and support of your feet are improved and stabilized. Your orthopedist or podiatrist will determine if you need surgery or not. He or she will also determine what type of surgery you have to go through, depending on the severity of the case. Before you undergo surgery, you should first try all the other possible and more conservative treatments. Sometimes, flatfoot deformities can be corrected without having to spend loads of cash on surgeries.

Adult Acquired Flat Foot Treatment – Acquired flat foot is a different story because the best way to treat this condition is to never acquire it. It is thus important to always wear a well-fitting and well-made pair of shoes. You can prevent this condition by wearing custom or over-the-counter arch supports. If a tight Achilles tendon is identified as the cause, you may need to do some strengthening and stretching exercises. You may also be required to use some orthotic devices and engage in physical therapy.

Some are acquired through posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. If this is your problem, you can get away with flat feet by conservative measures like taking anti-inflammatory medications, bracing, orthoses, shoe modifications, immobilization and the most important of all, rest. Casting may be necessary, depending on the severity of the case. If you acquire flat feet, you should seek medical attention as early as possible, so you wouldn't need to go through surgery as the case worsens everyday.

Your flat feet will only become a problem if they become rigid or flexible. When your feet are rigid, they do not change shape with bearing weight and are not too much of a problem. When your feet are flexible, your ankles and feet roll in too far and your arches disappear because of too much pronation.

It is then important to realize that since your feet are among the most overused parts of your body, you should take good care of them at all times. Remember, some people judge others by their feet, so always make your feet your best asset.