Leg pain and stiffness in children can be a mild condition that's simply part of growing up and will pass on its own, or they can indicate a more serious condition that requires medical attention. Ms. Franco is a student in the physical therapy program, Florida International University, Tamiami Trail, Miami, FL 33199. Studies suggest 20-30 percent of all people suffer from flat feet. Tight and weak musculature of the lower leg muscles and/or excessive foot pronation can also stress the patella via excessive internal rotation of the tibia. Other training errors commonly seen with patellofemoral pain are lower extremity workouts that don't utilize proper warm up, flexibility, strength, and technique. High heels are linked to pain in your back and knees. These variables are a part of every training program and need to be manipulated individually and as a group in a way that allows the body to develop a "tolerance" to the activity so progression can occur without injury. Ps I think the terms Pes Planus and Pes Cavus are ok and should not be banned - while not a Diagnosis - as has been used it is a clearly recognized foot type. Guler H, Karazincir S, Turhanoglu AD, et al ; Effect of coexisting foot deformity on disability in women with knee osteoarthritis. To explain how the above titled terms are used medically all you need to remember is that: flat feet (also known as collapsed/fallen arches) is what causes over pronation (the correct term is pes planus). Flat feet, collapsed or fallen arches refer to the arch of the foot whereas overpronation and pes planus refer to how the ankle appears and moves under pressure, therefore occurring as a result of the flat feet. Think about how your body may have adapted over time as a result of having this cushion under the foot preventing the foot from acting how it really should in the natural environment. Functional support feet which are abnormal. The patient should be consult a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation of their feet to see which treatment method will be best for them. The feet may even appear to point outward because of this movement. There are three types of flat feet: flexible flatfoot, painful rigid flatfoot, and spasmodic flatfoot.