Flat foot in Adults (Pes Planus)

A flat foot (pes planus) is a foot in which the arch is lower than normal, or sometimes even absent altogether. In some adults this is the normal foot shape and it causes no problems. In others however, the foot can become painful, stiff and progressively more deformed. This may be due to a variety of conditions such as tibialis posterior tendinopathy or midfoot arthritis.

Treatment of the adult flatfoot depends upon the cause and symptoms. Options include medial arch supports, physiotherapy, steroid injection and surgery to restore the arch.