Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
🚨Emergency? If you have severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or think it's an emergency, call 000 immediately.
Rigid Flatfoot (Pes Planus)
Rigid flatfoot is a condition where the foot arch remains flat and doesn't restore when standing on tiptoes (unlike flexible flatfoot), most commonly caused by tarsal coalition (abnormal bone or cartilage connection between foot bones) in children ages 8-15, leading to painful flat feet, ankle stiffness, and difficulty with sports - treatment ranges from orthotics and activity modification (60-70% improve) to surgical removal of the coalition or fusion if conservative treatment fails.
📖What is Rigid Flatfoot (Pes Planus)?
Rigid flatfoot is a condition where the foot arch remains flat and doesn't restore when standing on tiptoes (unlike flexible flatfoot), most commonly caused by tarsal coalition (abnormal bone or cartilage connection between foot bones) in children ages 8-15, leading to painful flat feet, ankle stiffness, and difficulty with sports - treatment ranges from orthotics and activity modification (60-70% improve) to surgical removal of the coalition or fusion if conservative treatment fails.
🔬What Causes It?
- Tarsal coalition (abnormal bone, cartilage, or fibrous connection between foot bones - calcaneonavicular or talocalcaneal most common) - congenital but symptoms emerge in adolescence
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction in adults (tendon weakens, can't support arch, eventually becomes rigid)
- Arthritis of foot joints (severe midfoot arthritis causing collapsed rigid arch)
- Congenital vertical talus (rare birth defect with dislocated talus bone, rocker-bottom foot)
⚠️Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Family history of flatfeet or tarsal coalition (genetic condition, 50% have affected family member)
- Age 8-15 years when tarsal coalitions typically become symptomatic (as coalition ossifies during growth)
- Obesity (increases stress on posterior tibial tendon, accelerates adult-acquired flatfoot)
- Previous foot or ankle injuries (trauma can lead to arthritis and rigid deformity)
🛡️Prevention
- ✓No specific prevention for congenital tarsal coalition (present from birth, symptoms emerge in adolescence)
- ✓For adult-acquired rigid flatfoot: maintain healthy weight, wear supportive footwear, avoid high-impact activities if you have known posterior tibial tendon problems
- ✓If diagnosed with flexible flatfoot, use orthotics and strengthen posterior tibial tendon to prevent progression to rigid deformity