Are you getting married anytime soon? While more brides are now wearing sneakers, those pairs of heels can still make you appear tall, elegant, and regal.
But here’s the problem: you might need to wear them for hours. Just to make sure you can survive it, you might want to visit a physiotherapy clinic. You could be flat-footed.
What Is a Flat Foot?
Now, you might say, “But the feet are always flat. I don’t get it.” While your pair can appear as if they’re in contact with the ground, in reality, the inner feet have an arch.
You will notice them when you stand or walk in front of the mirror and turn to your side. If these arches are missing or are very low, there’s a good chance that you have flat feet.
This feet deformity is common in Singapore for many reasons:
- Genetics
- Foot injuries, such as damage to the ankles or the tendons
- Age, which can cause gradual deterioration of the joints, bones, and ligaments
Conditions such as diabetes can also increase the risk of having flat feet. This metabolic condition can cause neuropathy or damage to the nerves. In turn, they might develop Charcot feet where the bones become weak. This will then lead to the collapse of the arch.
What Are the Issues with Flat Feet?
Many people with flat feet can live unbothered lives. However, they can also be problematic to some:
1. Heel Pain
Being flat-footed means the feet are no longer in alignment, so the body will try to compensate by distributing the weight to other parts, such as the heel. As the pressure intensifies within these areas, you will feel some discomfort when you walk, more so when you wear heeled shoes.
2. Increased Risk of Arthritis
Arthritis is the umbrella term for any inflammation of the joints. While many factors can cause it, one of these might be flat feet.
In the skeletal system, you have ligaments, which are a band of connective tissues that connect bones to form a joint. When you have flat feet, this puts a lot of strain on the ligaments, causing them to develop premature wear and tear.
As they become damaged, bones can end up touching. The friction can then lead to swelling and, often, pain.
3. Mobility Issues
If the problem is severe, you can feel discomfort or pain when walking. To minimize that, you can avoid some activities. Worse, because your feet are no longer in proper posture, you are now prone to injuries, especially when you’re wearing shoes.
How Can Doctors Help?
While you can detect flat feet by yourself, you still need help and advice from a podiatrist, who usually works in a physiotherapist clinic in Singapore.
They perform many tests and evaluations to determine the severity of the problem and the best treatment plan:
- They can look into your family history, any past or recent injuries, and medical records.
- They will identify the degree of archness of the feet.
- They can also determine if you have problems with your hip, knees, and ankles.
- They will analyze your gait.
Depending on the condition, they can provide the following treatments:
- Modifications in the insoles or customization of shoes
- Lifestyle changes, such as exercises to help manage flat feet and reduce weight, which can add more pressure to the ankles and feet
- Use of arch supports
- Physical therapy
With prompt attention, you can live with the effects of flat feet and even learn how to walk comfortably in heels during your wedding day.
