Pes Planus

Excerpt

Pes planus, commonly referred to as “flat feet,” is a relatively common foot deformity and is defined by the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot where it contacts or nearly contacts the ground. The arch of the foot is a tough, elastic connection of ligaments, tendons, and fascia between the forefoot and the hindfoot. The talocalcaneal interosseous ligament, tibionavicular portion of the deltoid ligament, spring ligament, and medial talocalcaneal ligament assist in stabilizing the arch of the foot. The arch serves as an adaptive and flexible base for the entire body. It functions to dissipate the forces of weight-bearing and acts to store mechanical energy within the stretched elastic ligaments during the gait cycle. Dysfunction of the arch complex, specifically relating to flexible flat foot, can frequently be asymptomatic but can alter the biomechanics of the lower limbs and lumbar spine, causing an increased risk of pain and injury.