You were wondering: What causes flat feet?
What causes flat feet?
If the sole of your foot touches the floor when you stand up, then you've got flat feet. It's a condition in which the foot – or feet – lacks a normal arch. Most flat feet are caused by loose joint connections and baby fat between the foot bones, which cause the arch to fall when the person stands up and puts weight on the foot. Babies are born with flat feet because the arch doesn't form until age 2 or 3. In other cases, flat feet might develop after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age. Most flat feet do not cause pain or other problems, although they might be associated with pronation, a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. If pain is an issue, orthotics – an arch-supporting insert placed in the shoe – can help. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary to clean or repair the tendon.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians,
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia