What is Adult Acquired Flatfoot?
It is a condition that occurs when the arches on the inside of the feet are flattened. It is quite a common condition but can be extremely painful and sometimes debilitating. It affects both, males and females equally.
What are the causes of Adult Acquired Flatfoot?
There are multiple causes of adult acquired flatfoot, some of them are listed below:
- Injury: Any form of injury to the ligaments in the foot can cause the joints to fall out of alignment. The ligaments support the bones, preventing them from moving. If these ligaments are ruptured, the foot will be flattened and cause extreme pain.
- Simple Wear-And-Tear: Wear and tear is a form of injury. Therefore, if there is any kind of rupture or tear in the ligaments in the foot that supports the bones, it can lead to this condition.
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD): Damage to the posterior tibial tendon can lead to the condition, as the main function of this tendon is to hold up the arch and support the foot while walking.
- Arthritis: Inflammatory arthritis can cause painful flatfoot, as it not only attacks the cartilage in the joints but also the ligaments that support the foot. Inflammatory arthritis also changes the shape of the feet at times.
- Diabetic Collapse (Charcot’s foot): Diabetic patients or people with nerve problems have a limited sensation in the feet and this can cause the arch to collapse resulting in adult acquired flatfoot