What Is Flat Foot, Does It Always Need Treatment?

Flat feet means the inner arch of the foot is low. Although it's a frequently voiced concern, in most people it isn't a disease but a structural variation and causes no complaint at all. The treatment decision doesn't depend on "is there flat feet" — it depends on "is there a loss of function or pain."

Two types

• Flexible: the arch forms when standing on the toes; mostly normal in children, can improve with age.
• Rigid: the arch never forms; there can be an underlying structural cause, needs assessment.

When should it be assessed?

Recurring foot/calf pain, quick fatigue while standing, the ankle rolling inward, a chain of complaints reaching up to the knee and hip. If there's no complaint, intervention isn't needed.

What helps?

Strengthening the muscles that support the foot, suitable footwear and insoles when needed, gait-posture adjustments. The assessment addresses not just the foot but the upper links of the chain (knee, hip) too.

How is strengthening done?

Simple exercises targeting the intrinsic foot muscles (toe raises, towel scrunches), the calf and the hip external rotators can be integrated into daily life. Exercise alone isn't enough; shoe choice and the surface also directly affect balance and load. The programme addresses these three areas (muscle, footwear, load) together.

When to see a physician?

Flattening that develops later and increases, noticeable swelling, or a deformity.

Fzt. Kemran Hafız assesses gait and posture holistically for foot complaints; plans strengthening and support recommendations together if there's pain or loss of function.