As you age, your feet change in many different ways. You may experience a natural decline in your feet's fat padding, leading to increased foot pain when you walk. Also, you may develop flat feet over time, as your body's tendons and ligaments lose strength and elasticity, allowing your arch to collapse. In our Powder Springs podiatry practice, we see many patients in their 50s and 60s experiencing complications related to flat feet for the first time ever. And guess what? They aren't alone. Because, as it turns out, even Barbie's feet have flattened out in the 60-plus years since her first appearance in 1959.
Sign of the Times: Now Barbie's Got Flat Feet ![A Barbie with feet in high heels]()
How do we know that Barbie's feet have flattened over the years? In a study conducted at Monash University in Australia, researchers examined the foot position of 2750 different Barbie dolls, seeing whether it was flat or on tip-toe (equinus), as was the case in the viral shower scene with Margot Robbie in 2023's Barbie movie. Researchers also considered each doll's represented employment, as well as any representative disabilities. Here's what they found:
Older Barbie dolls were universally crafted with their feet in the tip-toe (or high-heel-wearing) position. But more modern dolls are typically crafted with flat feet (and shoes), especially when they are employed. (Case in point: Space Discovery Barbie isn't expected to wear stilettos with her astronaut suit. Phew!) Of course, Barbies who are hitting the town still seem to be forged with feet that are made for high-heels. But, barring a fun evening out, Barbies everywhere are now showing off flatter feet and more practical footwear.
Now, the research team at Monash concluded that changes to Barbie's foot shape are a sign of the times, rather than a result of her aging. And that makes sense, given the fact that her face remains unwrinkled and her hair shows no sign of turning grey. Of course, we could all take a page from Barbie's playbook and make a switch to more comfortable shoes, especially when we are at work. But, unlike Barbie, our feet will likely fall flatter on all occasions as we age. Here's why that happens, and what Powder Springs podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans can do to help you manage the fall out of those collapsing arches.
Why You Get Flat Feet as You Age
As you get older, the years spent on your feet impact the strength of your ligaments and tendons, making it more difficult for them to snap back into place. Normal aging will therefore lead to some flattening of your arches. And factors such as pregnancy or obesity can speed up that process. Having poorly controlled diabetes can also affect your foot and arch health, making diabetic foot care non-negotiable if you are living with this disease.
On their own, flat feet are not a problem. However, when your arch flattens, your foot function also changes. In turn, you may experience pain and other complications.
Why Are Flat Feet Painful
When your arches collapse, you may develop foot pain. And here's why. The arches in your feet are supposed to act as shock absorbers when you walk, run, and jump. If they aren't working well, the stress of movement will have a greater impact on the rest of the structures in your feet. Morever, your arches help protect vessels and nerves in the feet, so a fallen arch leaves them more vulnerable to impact. Finally, flat feet are more likely to overpronate. As such, fallen arches can lead to knee and back pain in addition to foot pain. Luckily, you can address the pain of fallen arches without surgery or other invasive treatment options.
Custom Orthotics: Pain Relief for Aging Feet
As we've highlighted already, your feet will naturally flatten out over the years. And lifestyle factors such as pregnancy, illness or weight gain can speed up that process. In turn, you may experience an increase in foot pain as you get older.
Much of that foot pain can be linked to the changes in foot function that accompany fallen arches. And that's a good thing, because we can easily restore your optimal foot function by fitting you for custom orthotics. Unlike over-the-counter insoles that simply provide extra padding for your feet, orthotics are customized medical devices. They relieve foot pain by optimizing your foot function, and by providing support exactly where you need it most. For patients with flexible flat feet that develop due to aging, these devices can provide ongoing relief without the need for invasive procedures. So if you have noticed increasing foot pain with every passing year, don't wait to ask for help: we can provide relief without keeping you off your feet. Just call the office at 770-727-0614 or click this link to make an appointment for a custom orthotics consultation.
