Short foot exercises for flatfoot therapy: Status and prospects

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine
• Pediatric Podiatry
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Flatfoot, or pes planus, is a common pediatric condition characterized by the loss of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA).
• It affects approximately 15.6% of children and can stem from congenital or acquired musculoskeletal issues.
• Clinical manifestations include foot pain, altered gait, and compensatory injuries, significantly impacting motor function and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the health impacts of flatfoot in patients.
• To summarize the benefits of short foot exercises (SFE) as a noninvasive intervention for flatfoot.
• To explore the morphological, functional, and biomechanical aspects of flatfoot and SFE mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• This study is a narrative review.
• It synthesizes existing literature on flatfoot characteristics and SFE interventions.
• Focuses on morphological, functional, biomechanical aspects, intervention protocols, and assessment methods for SFE.

Main Results:

• Short foot exercises (SFE) effectively enhance arch height and improve dynamic foot support through plantar muscle activation.
• SFE has demonstrated efficacy in improving foot morphology and reducing pain associated with flatfoot.
• The review details standardized SFE protocols and assessment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Flatfoot significantly affects patient health and quality of life.
• SFE presents a promising, noninvasive rehabilitation strategy for managing flatfoot symptoms.
• Further research into SFE mechanisms can optimize treatment outcomes for flatfoot.