PODIATRIST DISCUSSES CAUSES OF FLAT FEET

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When you’re working up a sweat, your feet likely get less attention than larger muscle groups but when you have flat feet—which, according to some estimates, as much as 30 percent of people do—targeted flat feet exercises are crucial for preventing injury and pain. Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist based in New York City, says some of the main causes of flat feet include genetics (the alignment of the foot’s bone structure from birth), injuries, obesity, aging, and pregnancy, which increases laxity (or looseness) in the foot’s ligaments.

 

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Dr. Nelya Lobkova

 

Over time, flat feet can also develop into posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), a condition caused by a tear of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the foot. “The tendons and ligaments located on the inside of the foot begin to weaken and stretch out, causing deformity of the joints that the tendons and ligaments normally stabilize,” says Dr. Lobkova. “The foot arch appears collapsed, and the foot becomes unstable, which leads to the foot turning out and knee and back pain. It is important to identify this condition and control and stabilize the integrity of the foot and ankle tendons and ligaments before chronic pain and deformity results.”

 

Source: Jessica Estrada, Well + Good [12/29/20]


Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News


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