Adult acquired flat foot

(tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction)

Have you noticed the arch in your foot collapse over a fairly short period of time as an adult? Or Do you suffer from pain on the inside and sole of your arch?

If it does, then you may be suffering from a condition known as adult acquired flat foot. As one of the main support structures of the foot’s arch, the tibilais posterior tendon, along with other muscles, tendons and ligaments, play a very important role in its mechanical function.

Just as a bridge is an engineered structure designed to bear load and have its own internal and external support mechanisms, our feet demonstrate a similar anatomical design. If one of the main support cables of a suspension bridge stretches or loses its strength, the bridge will sag and not be structurally stable. Similarly, when tendons such as the tibialis posterior become weakened or stretched, then the foot loses some of its internal stability and becomes functionally unstable.

Trauma, inherited foot characteristics, tendonitis and secondary degenerative arthritis of joints in the foot represent just some of the reasons to account for adult acquired flat foot and associated tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction.

For more detailed information, see our Acrobat pdf Information sheets on Adult acquired flat foot.

Please remember that the information in these documents should not be used as a substitute for podiatric or medical attention.

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