Hollow foot

Hollow foot is a foot deformity in which the arch of the foot is significantly raised so that the foot has less contact with the ground when standing or walking and the outer edge of the foot is overloaded. This often increases the tendency to twist at the ankle joint. This deformity can occur in both children and adolescents. It is usually caused by excessive tension in the foot muscles.

A hollow foot is relatively rare in children, but the incidence can increase in adolescents, especially in young people who are active in sports. The exact cause of hollow foot is not always clear, but it can be either congenital or acquired. In the congenital form, the arch of the foot is too high from birth; in the acquired form, the hollow foot develops over time, often due to incorrect loading or muscle tension. In rare cases, the control of muscles in the ankle joints and feet by the nerves can be severely imbalanced and thus contribute to the progression of the hollow foot

The most common symptoms of this altered foot position include pain in the foot area, especially after prolonged standing or walking, as well as difficulty wearing certain shoes. Sometimes limited mobility of the foot can also occur. In more severe forms, the hollow foot can lead to further deformities.

The treatment of a hollow foot is usually initially conservative, i.e. without surgery. This includes special exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles, wearing orthopaedic insoles and footwear that supports and relieves the foot. In some cases, if conservative measures are not sufficient or the hollow foot is causing severe discomfort, surgery may be necessary. The aim of surgical treatment is to correct the arch of the foot and correct the deformity. After an operation, follow-up treatment with physiotherapy is important to stabilise the foot in its normal function. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the hollow foot and the method chosen.

Without treatment, hollow foot can lead to chronic pain, poor weight-bearing capacity and possibly further foot deformities. With the right treatment, especially conservative measures, many children and adolescents can experience an improvement without the need for surgery. In more severe cases where surgery is performed, the prognosis is also good, although healing may take some time. In general, early detection and treatment are important in order to avoid permanent damage.