How can I tell if I have flat feet?

Question

I think I do because I walk kinda funny and my feet seems flat and doesn't seem to bend. Although I was never diagnosed as having flat feet and served in the U.S. Army (I heard one can't be in the Army if flat-footed). If I have it, is there a cure? Are there special shoes or exercises that can correct the problem?

Answer 1

Flat feet are determined I believe, by checking your instep. This is on the inside of your foot, below the ball of your foot and above the heel. It is the arch of your foot. To tell if you really are flat footed and by how much, wet your feet and step on a piece of paper. If you see almost all of the bottom of your feet you have very little arch and are therefore flat-footed. If you have a very high arch your footprint will only show the outside portion of the bottom of your feet. Flat-footedness can be treated by special arch supports in your shoes or specially made shoes, which are expensive. If you have a good medical plan, they should pay almost all or, at the very least a portion of the cost. I do not believe there is any surgery available, but check with your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist. Very flat feet are painful so it should be treated. I am not sure about the US Army but once upon a time, if you were flat footed, you would not be accepted into an armed service because you could not march long distances. Perhaps now though, they will take most as they can be provided with the foot supports. Hope this helps you and take care of your feet - you still have alot of road left to walk!!!

Answer 2

If normal gym shoes make you feel like you have a charlie-horse in the arch (or lack there of) of your foot, you probably have flat feet. My dad does, but was never diagnosed with it. You just need to try on shoes BEFORE you buy them, and stay away from the high-tech Nikes and Reeboks. Skateboarding shoes are good because of the flat souls and high-impact cushioning. Try some Etnies or es brand shoes.

Answer 3

my dad had the same problem as you do. first you sholud consult a doctor. even then if you feel that you have flat feet, then you should always wear sports shoes. if you plan to wear leather, then there is something called an 'arch' available with shoe retailers that can be stuck to the shoe and help you gradually either by developing an arc or by distributing your weight evenly so you won't have a problem. if you are overweight, try reducing or you'll develop arthiritis.

Answer 4

very easy to find out. Get your feet wet and walk around on concrete. If you see foot prints that look like this:
http://www.sewverycreative.bravepages.com/images/Hang_Ten.jpg
you don't have flat feet. If your print looks like the image on the left:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dflat%2Bfoot%2Bprint%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3DFP-tab-img-t%26x%3Dwrt&w=269&h=154&imgurl=www.executiveservers.com%2Fshoemateusa-com%2FIMAGES%2Fflatfoot2.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.executiveservers.com%2Fshoemateusa-com%2Fflatfoot.shtml&size=10.7kB&name=flatfoot2.jpg&p=flat+foot+print&type=jpeg&no=5&tt=42&ei=UTF-8
then you may have flat feet.
The second site I provided gives some information about symptoms and solutions. However, there are different degrees and even if you have flat feet, there is may be no serious problem whatsoever. Good luck and try not to worry.

Answer 5

flat feet is actually not having a arch in your feet. the military never accepted people with this disorder. as far as now, its up to the branch of service as they are in need of recruits.

Answer 6

you don have no arch in your foot and your feet hurts alot..... the doctor told me to wear shoe with a good arch llike nikes, reeboks, or new balances to walk around in it helped me alot too...

Answer 7

if yu have no arch..there is no cure...but its a not a disease in the first place