The Pains of being Flat Footed

[Flea']

mr DQ, I have a question which you probably can't answer but since such a high percentage of the popualtion have flat feet why aren't more shoes made to help people with flat feet.

trying to find sandals/thongs for me is a hassle though as I'm really not too fond of trainers in summer

I'm guessing that its cause people all have different variations of it...

Like, just reading through the thread, there are many things common, but also lots not common!

 

[Technic]

I had problem with my arch when I was young, it was to high and I had to get special support things made up for my foot. I used to be very active when I was young, that's probably why.

I thought people that have flat feet didn't do enough excercise when they were younger? I remember that from somewhere, is this true??

 

[*bubble-fish*]

that doesnt make much sense
I would have thought it was genetic
My dad played heaps of sport when he was a kid and his feet are flatter than mine, while my mum did hardly any sport when she was younger and she has decent arches

 

[Flea']

Where can i get cheap shoes?? I'd rather not get skater shoes aswell.

I rocked up to Central Station Rec, thinking I could pickup a bargain... but there was next to nothing there... argh

Help!

 

[flutter]

Another flat footed person here. I too wore orthotics from about 8-15. I still have a pair but i never wear them cause they are uncomfortable now. I remember when i was younger i never even used to notice i was wearing them.

I've never had too much pain from dancing all night. The only time my feet hurt alot is when i rollerblade....but i put up with the pain cause i love blading i just have to have a rest whenever the pain hits I even tried ripping out the soles of my blades and putting the orthotics in them but it was very uncomfortable.

Technic i highly doubt flat feet are caused through lack of exercise at a young age. I have played netball a few times a week from the age of 6-20.

 

[DQ]

flat feet is nothing to do with exercise levels when you're a kid. it's almost certainly genetic, as it's to do with the basic structure of your foot. although it tends to get worse with age, probably due to weakened tendons/ligaments etc in the feet, as well as the stress of years of load-bearing.

bubble-fish: most shoes are not made with flat feet in mind because:
a) it's more expensive to produce shoes that provide lots of support (more technology, better materials etc)
b) it makes the shoes chunkier and less visually appealing.
c) most shoes are about fashion, not function.

but if you ever go into a sports store and look at running shoes, you'll find that much more models are made to cater for people who over-pronate (roll in) than those who under-pronate (roll out).

 

[*bubble-fish*]

thanks DQ

I thought profit would generally be the main thing in mind for most shoe manufactures.
Being short chunky shoes aren't a problem for me...but eerrr, I suppose most people don't think that way
High heels are a great example of fashion over function and look at how popular they still remain

I guess I'll have to keep on looking hey?


PS Did you have to go to shoe school DQ to learn about feet and what shoes are best and stuff before you worked in your current job?

 

[Bossdog]

I have one normal arch and one high arch. The foot with the high arch rolls in really badly, which I don't think is that common. I run 3 times a week and was constantly ending up with a sore foot. I actually ended up getting a pair of the Brooks Beasts to control the roll when I run and they are helping. At the same time though, they are causing rubbing on the inside of my foot. I can't win!!

Anyway, just thought I'd share my 'exeption to the rule' story.

 

[papermate]

thanks for the information...

so DQ, long story short because im a bit confused -

- ive got flat feet,
- im 23 years of age
- i do have back problems
- i was prescribed orthodics when younger, but have lost them

Question : should i go out and get a pair now?

 

[phase_dancer]

DQ, if you don't mind, can I pose another situation to you?

You mentioned overprotonation. Well my size 14-15 feet are flat, really flat. Since I was about 20 (over 20 years ago) my arch has been non-existent. But in regards to weight distribution I've been told I have over supinated feet. My foot is very wide and splays around the ankle. As you can imagine, finding just the right shoe in my size is hard. So hard, I gave up long ago. Original NIKE LDR runners were the closest I ever found, but their biggest was still a size too small. I now wear NB 607, bought solely cause they were actually long and wide enough!

To make matters worse I ran 10-15km almost every day till I was 35, when compounding ankle injuries and my leg loosing feeling / going dead caused my to hang up the runners. My left ankle had been almost permanently swollen for 3 years. But being an running addict I couldn't stop till I had to.

Now my feet are so bad that to merely stand on them for over an hour leaves them swollen and sore. I've tried all sorts of shoes, but find bare feet gives me less pain by far.

My best remedy and somewhat helpful preventative is lots and lots of stretching.

Any suggestions DQ? Last time I was in a branch of the aforementioned shop, their assessment was reasonable but they still didn't stock a supinator in my size