Some Fat on Flat Feet
Normal feet:
- more hindfoot dorsiflexion (read ankle rocker)
- hindfoot more flexible
- no or different compensation, if any
Symptomatic Flat feet:
- less hindfoot dorsiflexion (read, reduced ankle rocker)
- hindfoot was more everted, but less flexible.
- forefoot compensates for reduced motion in rearfoot by increasing motion
- hallux hypermobility
- symptomatic flat feet lacked positive joint energy for propulsion
Asymptomatic flat feet:
- less hindfoot dorsiflexion (read, reduced ankle rocker)
- hindfoot was more everted, but less flexible.
- forefoot compensates for reduced motion in rearfoot by increasing motion
- hallux hypermobility
- asymptomatic flat feet needed to absorb more negative ankle joint energy during loading response. This may risk fatigue and overuse syndrome of anterior shank muscles
“Hence, despite a lack of symptoms flatfoot deformity in asymptomatic flat feet affected function. Yet, contrary to what was expected, symptomatic flat feet did not show greater deviations in 3D foot kinematics than asymptomatic. Symptoms may rather depend on tissue wear and subjective pain thresholds.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23796513
