Arch height and lower limb pain: an adult civilian study.

Flexible flatfeet in children are still treated with orthotics and operative procedures by some physicians who believe such treatment will prevent disability in adult life. Opponents of treatment cite military studies that show flexible flatfeet are not a source of disability in soldiers. Because no study of adult civilians relating arch configuration and pain have been reported, this study was undertaken. Ninety-nine adult male and female physically active grocery-store employees were studied. Half-weight-bearing footprints were made, and leg and foot pain questionnaires were scored for each subject. No relationship was found between arch configuration and pain scores. This study suggests that in the civilian population flexible flatfeet are not a source of disability. This study is consistent with previous studies and provides additional evidence against the practice of treating flexible flatfeet in children.