At least 60% of people in today's society have foot problems. The most common foot problems are mostly caused by foot corn or callus, foot pain, foot deformity, intolerance to standing or walking due to old injury, poor stability, easy to fall, and foot odor. The above conditions may be related to different pain symptoms, but these different pain symptoms may ultimately be related to flat feet.

​

We have 26 bones in each foot, connected by ligaments and tendons. The inside of the foot is in the shape of an arch, which is called the arch of the foot. The arch of the foot absorbs the shock generated when walking, running, and jumping. Flat feet are caused by the collapse of the arch of the inside of the patient's foot, which affects the shock absorption ability. Therefore, many adults with flat feet will have problems with their ankles or gait. There are generally no obvious symptoms in the early stages of flat feet, but the collapsed foot arch can still be detected in appearance. You can do a simple test: if you can't even put a finger in the foot arch while standing, you may notice you have flat feet. Of course, the precise diagnosis may require an X-ray or digital foot scan to determine the shape and position of the bones, and whether there are any abnormality.

 

The causes of flat feet can be divided into two categories: congenital and acquired. Surprisingly, in Hong Kong, most adults with flat feet are found to be due to prolonged wearing of inappropriate shoes. The first step in treating flat feet is to improve the poor ergonomics of the feet caused by flat feet. Because flat feet change the gait, it is more likely to cause other bone and joint problems, and even lead to long-term foot pain, knee pain, and back pain.

​

Custom-made insoles can improve the ergonomics of the feet, reduce the impact of flat feet, and slow down their deterioration. However, foot pain, knee pain, back pain, etc. caused by flat feet may not be immediately improved by using suitable insoles. Careful examinations must be made and targeted rehabilitation and exercise therapy must be given one by one to improve them as soon as possible.

​

A pair of orthopedic insoles can definitely help people with flat feet. They can be used to balance the body and correct the flattened foot arch. In addition, physical therapy for the spine can correct spinal displacement and solve the pain. Flat feet are congenital and hereditary. If one of the parents is a congenital flatfoot patient, their children are also likely to suffer from it. If children use orthopedic insoles every day before the age of sixteen, in about two years, the body will adapt to the correct arch curvature, and the problem of collapsed foot arch can be corrected.  It is because their bones are still developing and are relatively soft to mold to the correct foot arch.

 

On the contrary, for adults since their foot bridges are fixed, insoles can only provide auxiliary correction to prevent pain conditions caused by the collapse of the foot bridge. The best age to wear orthopedic insoles is between six and twelve years old. Even if there are no signs of flat feet, it is recommended that they get their feet checked regularly.

 

Since children's feet are relatively soft, you can choose custom-made softer but supportive materials. There are many different insoles on the market, which come, can only be used to absorb shock and relieve pain, and cannot really correct the foot arch. You should consult a doctor before purchasing!