Sixty million Americans or 25% of the population are known to be born with flat feet. This makes
flat feet the most common foot deformity known. As people age, the foot can change shape. The arch can fall
and the foot naturally pronates due to its bone structure. Recent demographic studies have shown that the number
of people affected with flat feet increases with age. A study created for the Ohio Science Fair indicated that at
age 5 the numbers have reached 36%. By age 14, 47% showed the flat foot deformity. Adults under the age of 60
showed 57%, and by the time people reached age 60 and over, it was a full 75% of the population. In the Asian,
African-American and Latino populations, the numbers may be even greater.
Surgical procedures can alter flat feet, but surgical remedies are rarely recommended except in
the most profound cases with severe deformities. The deformity known as forefoot varus cannot be successfully treated
with surgery. The compensation provided by the patented design of the FlatFoot® Insole will suffice for the
majority of flat feet.
Flat feet alter the vertical geometry of the leg. This leads to a wide range of physical
ailments in the lower extremity and back. Some of the more common ailments known to be associated with flat
feet are bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel spur pain, shin splints, knee pain, anterior cruciate ligament injuries,
patella maladies, low back pain, knee and hip arthritis which frequently results in Joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Pryce studied his own patients and found that approximately 95% of his total knee and
hip patients have flat feet. This caused Dr. Pryce to begin to look at other conditions in the lower extremity.
He found that if someone comes into the office with a lower extremity complaint that is not caused by an injury,
then it is highly likely the condition is associated with pronated or flat feet.
The Flat Foot® Insoles (shown left) have been found to reduce these physical ailments and
allow one to live a more comfortable life.
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