What causes adult acquired flatfoot?

What causes adult acquired flatfoot?

There is no one cause of flatfoot in adults.

One of the more common causes is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). This condition affects one of the most important tendons in the foot, the posterior tibial tendon. This tendon's main job is to support the arch of your foot as you walk. The tendon runs down the inside of an individual’s lower leg from the calf to the bones on the inside of the foot. If this tendon is injured, torn, or becomes overused and swollen, it can eventually lead the arch to collapse. This is one of the more common causes of adult acquired flatfoot in women, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and overweight individuals. Athletes in sports, such as soccer or basketball, may also damage this tendon, eventually leading to flat feet.

In some cases, adult acquired flatfoot can also be caused by an injury or tear to the ligaments of the foot. An injury to the middle of the foot, called a Lisfranc injury, can cause the foot to become flat. This injury may be very painful. Injuries to the back of the foot and fractures of the bones in the foot can also cause flatfoot to develop.

Another cause of flatfoot is arthritis. Arthritis that attacks and inflames the cartilage in the joints of the foot can cause the foot to lose its arch and flatten.

In people with diabetes, a condition called Charcot foot may cause flatfoot to develop. This condition may also cause the foot to deform. People with diabetes often have less feeling in their feet or neuropathy, so they do not initially notice as their foot collapses. This can lead to a more severe flattening before diagnosis. In turn, this severe collapse can lead to even more serious problems. Bones in the foot may break and disintegrate as the arch collapses. This can eventually lead to a severely deformed foot. Prescription bracing, footwear or surgery may be required.

Sometimes, a person may think he or she has flatfoot because, on standing, the arch flattens. However, if an arch appears while standing on one’s heels or pulling the toes back, one does not have adult acquired flatfoot. This is a condition called "flexible flatfoot," and is not considered a medical problem that needs treatment.