Especially an acquired flatfoot often does not require therapy as long as there are no complaints. For children and adolescents, conservative treatment methods are initially sought. These include physiotherapy, strengthening of the musculature, walking barefoot and soft shoe soles.
For adults, too, conservative treatment options are initially used. If physiotherapy is not sufficient, orthopedic insoles are adapted. In some cases the flat foot must be corrected surgically.
This is especially recommended for congenital malpositioning of the foot in early childhood. This prevents affected children from having problems walking. If the malpositioning of the congenital flat foot is corrected later, lengthy follow-up treatment is necessary. These include plaster casts, inner shoes, post-operative shells and shoe insoles. Once the growth is complete and the malpositioning is still present, it can be surgically repaired by partial joint stiffening (arthrodesis).
Prognosis
As a rule, a flat tire shows a good prognosis. Although a congenital flat foot can impair the ability to walk, these deformities can be easily corrected surgically. In most cases, an acquired flat foot does not cause any problems. If symptoms are present, they can be treated very well with the help of physiotherapy and shoe insoles.
Summary
The foot malposition in the form of a flat foot can be acquired or congenital. While the congenital, familial form is rather rare, the acquired malposition occurs relatively frequently. The main reasons for this are standing activities, incorrect footwear and overweight.
The congenital malpositions are relatively difficult to recognize, especially in infancy, and must therefore be clarified in the routine examination. However, these malpositions often occur more frequently in families and are therefore already known. Since the congenital malpositions can be treated very well by surgery, especially in early childhood, early diagnosis is important.
In addition, an untreated congenital flat foot can impair the child’s later ability to walk. This is another reason why therapy should be carried out in the first year of life if possible. An acquired flatfoot only requires therapy if the child has symptoms.
These are rare, but should they occur, the flat foot can be treated very efficiently by foot muscle training and shoe insoles. The effective and good treatment options of the flat foot require a very good prognosis and hardly any restrictions in the walking ability of affected patients.
