Flat Feet

Lynx -

I have very flat feet and I've been meaning to go to the doctor to get some custom made arch supports.  But do you think my flat feet affect my weight lifting?  And could they cause injury while I'm doing lunges or squats?

Dr. Cox - "Shower shorts?" J.D. - "For the man who has nothing to hide... but still wants to."

Mate, i have the same problem.
 
Though im not completely flat footed, i do over-pronate quite a bit.
 
Depending on the degree of flat footedness.. i would say YES you are at a greater risk of injuries - especially if you run a lot, are very active on ure feet or use heavy weights for squats and lunges or any other exercise that puts your knees in a relatively unstable/vulnerable position.
 
Its all to do with the biomechanics. When we are flatfooted, the weight and pressure distribution over the leg is very uneven. This forces areas of the foot and leg to put up with more pressure than is safe. It can lead to a variety of conditions. Just to name a few:
 
Plantar fasciitis
Shin splints (stress fractures)
Runners knee (patella-femoral tracking syndrome)
Ilio-tibial band syndrome
 
I strongly suggest you go get your pressure distribution assessed properly by a podiatrist or physiotherapist and get custom sole inserts/arch supports/orthotics made for yourself.
 
Coincidentally, Just today i went and got my foot pressures assessed and got me a new pair of runners - they were $160 but the price is worth the benefits ill reap from it. You can never put a price on your health.
 
PS: Ive put together some info on most of those conditions ive mentioned above in the injury forum incase u were wondering what the hell they were.

Wow Linx, that’s some great info!!  I probably have some of the flattest feet on the forum, and to anyone wondering if this can cause problems down the road with lifting… YES!!  Both my feet are extremely flat and my left foot tends to turn in because of a falling arch, what happens is it pulls on all the tendons of the outside of my ankle.  Custom orthodox are the way to go.
 
Before I got the Orhtodox my feet were always sore and especially my ankle (My gf said it was all in my head.. lol)  As soon as I went to the Dr. they were like WOW!!!!  Hoe long have you been going like this?  What sucked was when I did my last couple of reps for heavy squats I would twist my body without realizing because the stress was too much on my ankle.  I guess it was pretty ugly to look at… and after Deadlifts I always had to come home and ice my ankle.
 
I have three pairs now… all at $300 a pop… yea, but it’s worth it.  Be careful of what your Dr prescribes though, the first pair they gave me were a really, really hard plastic, but the second pair was hard, but made out of a more fabric material.  Either case, they work great… so all the leg movements are evenly distributed.  Although working calves is still really, really hard… the falling arch still conflicts with two legged movements, it’s my weak link.  I tend to do a lot of One Legged Calf Raises on the leg press, because the weaker calf is already smaller.
 
Go see your Dr. dude, the only thing that may bum you out is that the favorite shoes that you always wore might not be compatible with the orthodox.  They work best with a really flat soled shoe… the perfect shoe I have found for Leg oriented movements is the old school Chuck Taylors, because of the flat sole my othodox fit perfect and they have great ankle support as well.  I’ve had good luck with some Addidas shoes and Timberland for boots. Good luck to you.

Thanks alot for your help guys.

Dr. Cox - "Shower shorts?" J.D. - "For the man who has nothing to hide... but still wants to."