The dangers of flat feet

I believe everyone has heard of flat feet. People with flat feet have a hard time walking because the soles of their feet are flat. Therefore, people who walk for too long will not be able to bear it. Not only will they suffer from muscle soreness, but it will also cause bone pain. Over time, it may also cause complications such as arthritis. Therefore, the harm of flat feet is very great. Don’t underestimate flat feet and don’t think that it is normal and it doesn’t matter how painful it is. Below we will introduce the harm of flat feet in detail.

What are the dangers of flat feet

Although flat feet can be discovered in childhood, the symptoms are generally not very prominent. They become more obvious as children grow up. A survey shows that about 7% of people have flat feet. Flat feet make it difficult to walk, especially for long distances. Walking too far may cause pain, fatigue and other adverse symptoms.

There are many more dangers of flat feet.

The cause may be muscle spasm or structural abnormalities of the bones. Its harm is not as simple as pain. It not only leads to restricted movement, but also causes chain reactions in other joints of the foot and even ankle, knee, hip and other joints, such as inflammation and deformation.

How to tell if your child has flat feet

The simplest way is to sprinkle a layer of flour on the ground, let the baby step on it, and then look at the soles of the feet that have stepped on the flour. Generally speaking, the inner edges of normal feet should not touch the ground, so they will not be stained with flour, while flat feet are just the opposite. Most or all of the soles of the feet will be covered with flour.

Five principles to keep children away from flat feet

1. Soak your child’s feet in hot water every night

Every night before going to bed, make sure to wash your child's feet with warm water and cover his or her feet after lying down. This can prevent children's feet from getting cold, which can not only prevent colds, but also help children fall asleep faster, which is also beneficial for improving sleep quality.

2. Appropriate exercise can reduce flat feet

Exercise is very important for the healthy development of children's feet. In recent years, the problem of flat feet among children has increased by about 20% compared to the 1980s, which is quite obvious. One of the main reasons is that children lack exercise. Children should do more exercises, such as pointe exercises, toe-grabbing glass ball exercises, and bouncing exercises such as skipping rope and playing basketball, to improve the strength of foot muscles and ligaments and promote the development of the arch of the foot. In addition, parents should also pay more attention to their children's usual posture, especially those with pigeon-toed feet or X-shaped legs, and those who like to sit on their knees or in a W-shape. Parents should help them develop the correct posture, thereby effectively reducing the sequelae caused by functional foot problems in children.

3. Choose shoes and socks with good warmth retention according to different situations

Such as cotton shoes and terry socks, which are warm and comfortable and very suitable for children to wear. However, sneakers, rubber shoes and leather shoes have poor thermal insulation performance, dissipate heat quickly, and can easily cause your feet to freeze, so they are not suitable for wearing. The size of shoes and socks should be slightly larger, and there should be a slight gap between the foot and the shoe to facilitate air insulation and increase warmth.

4. Wash and dry your shoes and socks frequently

Children are active and their feet sweat easily, so it is best to put insoles in their shoes to absorb moisture and sweat and reduce heat dissipation. The shoes should also be changed and exposed to the sun frequently to ensure they are dry and warm. When your shoes and socks get wet in rainy or snowy weather, you should replace them in time.

5. Choosing the right shoes can prevent flat feet sequelae

Each stage of a child's foot growth requires different care methods. Experts suggest that parents should choose suitable and healthy shoes for their children, which is especially important for the healthy growth of their feet. Children wearing appropriate shoes and insoles can reduce the chances of foot sequelae and ligament injuries. Healthy shoes should have the following elements:

1) There are different degrees of arch support to relieve arch fatigue and prevent flat foot sequelae;

2) There is a hard heel cup to stabilize the heel bone and control the extent of rear foot eversion;

3) There are different sizes for the forefoot to prevent the forefoot from being too loose or too tight, increasing foot comfort;

4) The shaped midsole design helps stabilize the foot shape and enhance the support of the insole.

The above has introduced in detail the dangers of flat feet. I believe that everyone has a deeper understanding of flat feet. Flat feet are very different from normal feet. Despite this, people can actually prevent flat feet. Try to walk less, eat a reasonable diet, and pay special attention to the issue of wearing shoes.