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The difference between the collapsed arches vs flat feet is that flat feet is the broad name for all types of fallen, undeveloped, and under-developed arches while collapsed arches only describe arches that have fallen with time.
Collapsed arches and flat feet are often used interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. While these two terms are closely related, they do not exactly mean the same thing.
To help clear up any confusion that you may have regarding this, we will quickly look at each term and what it means so that we can establish the similarities and differences between the two.
Collapsed Arch
This is a term used to describe a situation where a previously normal arch collapses over time and becomes flat. This is the key component of a collapsed arch.
So, a normal, efficiently functioning arch can collapse over time as a result of any of the following:
· Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) – Any damage or dysfunction to this important tendon that stabilizes the arch will result in a collapsed arch. This is actually one of the most common causes of collapsed arches in adults.
· Injury or Trauma – Tendon tears, ligament damage, or bone fractures, or dislocations can affect the foot's balance and stability, resulting in the collapse of the arch.
· Arthritis – Various types of arthritis can also affect the structures around the arch, leading to its collapse.
· Obesity – Too much weight on the feet can cause its structure to weaken over time and this can remove the support structure of the arch, leaving it to fall.
· Aging – As we age, we lose elasticity and this also affects the arch and its surrounding structures, causing it to gradually fall.
Flat Feet
Flat feet, medically known as “pes planus,” is a term that describes a foot condition where the arch is undeveloped, underdeveloped, or collapsed. The key point here is that this describes every case of absent arch support.
There are two main types of flat feet and they are flexible and rigid.
Flexible Flat Feet – This is a type of flat feet in which the arch is normal and visible when the foot is not bearing any weight and then falls when weight is placed on it (that is when you stand).
Rigid Flat Feet – In this type of flat feet, the arch is permanently fallen whether the feet are bearing weight or not.
Other types of flat feet that you may come across include:
· Pediatric flexible flat feet which is a type of flat feet usually present in babies. This type will often clear up by the time the arch is fully developed by around the age of 6.
· Adult-acquired flatfoot, also known as collapsed arch. That means that the arch was functional until any of the conditions listed earlier made it collapse.
