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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
A flat foot is normal in infants and toddlers, because the foot's arch hasn't yet developed. Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some people never develop arches. This is a normal variation in foot type, and people without arches may or may not have problems.
Arches can also fall over time. Years of wear and tear can weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs along the inside of your ankle, from above your ankle to your arch.
- Adult (acquired) flatfoot. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00173. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Flexible flatfoot in children. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Murphy GA. Pes planus. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/180182820-3/944384454/1584/610.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50082-9--cesec1_4255. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Hosalkar HS, et al. The foot and toes. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/180346655-3/944709937/1608/1570.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50675-7--cesec22_12336. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00166. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Chorley J, et al. Clinical features and management of foot pain in the young athlete. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
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