Efficacy of Faradic Foot Baths and Short Foot Exercises in Symptomatic Flatfoot: A Review (2025)

Abstract

Flatfoot is a common condition among adults, according to orthopedic experts. Flatfoot is defined in this document as a foot condition that occurs after the completion of skeletal growth and is characterized by either partial or complete reduction of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) and faradic foot baths on people who have flat feet. This review focused on comprehensive original primary articles written in English. Numerous studies have been conducted in order to determine the effects of both interventions. The search yielded a wide range of papers, including editorials, review articles, freely available full texts, and abstracts. The results showed that both SFE and faradic foot baths effectively improved flat feet.

Introduction and background

According to orthopedics, flatfoot is a common condition in adults. Adult flatfoot is defined in this review as a foot condition that develops or persists after the bones have matured, characterized by a total or partial weakening of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). Adult flatfoot can appear as an unexpected discovery or a state with symptoms, resulting in a range of clinical effects ranging from minor restrictions to significant disability and significant pain that significantly interferes with daily life activities [1,2]. Within the active subsystem, the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the foot work together to uphold the MLA. Intrinsic foot muscles with attachments spanning from the foot's origin to insertion points, like the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and quadratus plantae, assume essential responsibilities in maintaining the stability of the arch [3,4].

Pathological changes and symptoms arise due to alterations in the way structural loads are distributed across the medial foot and plantar arch, coupled with midfoot collapse and compression along the lateral column and rearfoot. Posterior tibial tendon insufficiency and peritalar subluxation refer to the abnormal misalignment of the talus around the subtalar and midtarsal joints and are the most common causes [5,6]. Assessing flatfoot needs a relevant patient history encompassing the emergence of the deformity and the duration and intensity of symptoms, with particular attention to pain in the arch and rearfoot. Additionally, it's feasible to uncover a familial background of flatfoot deformity [6,7]. In adults with flatfoot, concurrent conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthropathies, hypertension, or diabetes could hold significance. Elements such as occupation, level of activity, and obesity might also play a role. It's important to take into account factors like footwear, history of injuries, and prior treatments. A comprehensive assessment of various systems is essential, as this can impact everyday activities [8,9].

Associated symptoms like pain related to the hip, back, and knee are also linked to coinciding flatfoot conditions. In flexible adult flatfoot, the dropping of the longitudinal arch is associated with unusual inward rolling of the rearfoot when weight is borne. The talus moves inward and downward on the calcaneus, which tilts outward and downward simultaneously [10,11]. Pronation in the subtalar joint leads to an unstable midtarsal joint, contributing to different levels of sideways movement in the transverse plane [12,13]. Additional joints, like the tarsometatarsal joint, might also encounter an impact. Factors leading to pronation encompass adjusted inward angling of the forefoot (forefoot varus), flexible outward angling of the forefoot (forefoot valgus), restricted ankle movement (equinus), naturally occurring outward and upward angling of the heel and forefoot (congenital talipes calcaneovalgus), abnormal twisting involving inward or outward movement (adduction or abduction), muscle imbalance, laxity in ligaments, nerve-related foot conditions, and anything contributing to a shift of weight-bearing toward the inner side such as knock-knees, obesity, or wide gait [8,14]. The short foot exercise (SFE) is a therapeutic practice designed to enhance the strength of the intrinsic muscles in the foot. This technique involves pulling the head of the first metatarsal bone toward the heel, all while maintaining the toes in a neutral position without excessive bending or stretching.

It is suggested that incorporating SFE could enhance balance in functional movements among individuals with both normal and flat feet. This, in turn, may aid in preventing the descent of the navicular bone navicular drop by activating the intrinsic muscles [15,16]. An additional therapeutic approach for managing symptomatic flexible flat feet is the utilization of a faradic foot bath. This intervention alleviates the discomfort individuals encounter during their everyday tasks. It focuses on reinforcing the underdeveloped abductor muscles within the foot, which play a crucial role in upholding the foot's arch structure. This method employs a faradic current delivered through an electrode, offering adjustable levels of intensity and frequency. Furthermore, it enhances the strength of the feeble foot muscles [17].

Pathophysiology

Children commonly experience developmental flatfoot. Developmental flatfoot can have various origins, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, characterized by flexibility or rigidity. Abnormal bone and joint development can lead to conditions like tarsal coalition or congenital vertical talus. Additionally, generalized ligament hyperflexibility from conditions such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos can contribute to flatfoot malformation. In adults, flatfoot deformity is categorized as either developmental or acquired. Acquired flatfoot is linked to tightness in the triceps surae or isolated gastrocnemius, traumatic deformities, dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon, Charcot foot, midfoot laxity, external rotation of the hindfoot, ruptured plantar fascia, talus subluxation, or neuromuscular imbalances (such as polio, cerebral palsy). The multitude of factors contributing to this deformity can make pinpointing the precise cause of flatfoot in each scenario challenging [14,18,19].

Clinical manifestation

Adult flatfoot can arise from various pathological causes, including benign processes that result from ongoing congenital issues, traumatic events, or conditions linked to systemic health. The underlying pathology and associated symptoms stem from structural changes in how the plantar arch and medial foot bear loads, leading to collapse in the midfoot and constriction along the rearfoot and lateral column. Excessive use can lead to fatigue and cramping in the leg and foot muscles, contributing to the depression of the MLA, heel eversion or valgus positioning during stance in a relaxing manner, and forefoot abduction concerning the rearfoot. Notable areas of tenderness can be pinpointed through careful examination and palpation of the leg, ankle, and foot. These clinical traits frequently characterize individuals with flatfoot [3,7].

Diagnostic investigation

The primary criteria rely on the patient's history and clinical physical assessment, individuals who experience pain while weight bearing, walking, and walking in uncomfortable footwear. Diagnostic investigations are rarely required as flat feet can also be diagnosed on observation and physical assessment. Only patients with associated ankle and foot pathologies are advised to undergo examinations like MRI.

Review

Study selection

The search was performed using scholarly databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct using the keywords flatfoot, rehabilitation, faradic foot bath, and SFE. This review sought English-language, full-text primary original articles. Numerous papers, including editorials, review articles, free full texts, and abstracts, were found through the search. Data were extracted under the headings: author(year), sample size, population, outcome measures, and results were identified. The literature was then screened for relevant titles and abstracts. All the literature showed improvement in the flatfoot following the application of either a faradic foot bath or SFE. Out of the 105 articles, 31 were eligible for full-text review. The result of selecting articles is illustrated in Figure 1, which shows a search of the database and data extraction. Table 1 presents a summary of the articles that were reviewed for flatfoot.

Discussion

Hara et al. conducted a comprehensive review to assess the effects of SFE on flatfoot deformity. They screened a total of 21 studies, ultimately including nine that met their predetermined criteria, while the remaining 12 were excluded due to inappropriate interventions. The study's outcomes indicated that engaging in SFE indeed results in the contraction of plantar muscles, which, in turn, reduces foot length. This muscle contraction not only pulls the first metatarsal toward the heel but also elevates the MLA, all achieved without flexing the toes. The primary objective of SFE is to fortify the intrinsic foot muscles, which play a crucial role in sustaining the MLA in cases of flatfoot deformity. The study underscored the demanding nature of these exercises, emphasizing the need for patients to have a solid understanding of their execution. Furthermore, the authors noted that the research investigating the effects of SFE on MLA improvement in individuals with flat feet has yielded favorable results [27].

Huang et al. discovered that, despite no significant difference in muscle hypertrophy, their meta-analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of SFE in restoring foot alignment to a more normalized state compared to alternative interventions. Employing a random effects model, they calculated mean differences (MD) and standard mean differences in a meta-analysis that included six trials. From a pool of 609 records, 201 patients met the selection criteria. Within the control group, five out of six trials utilized distinct interventions, such as shoe insoles and muscle-strengthening exercises, while the remaining trial did not specify the intervention. The SFE group exhibited a noticeable reduction in the navicular drop test values (MD: -0.23; 95% p=0.04) and the foot posture index (FPI-6) score (MD: -0.67; 95% p=0.0001) compared to the control group. Consequently, the study suggests that SFE is an effective approach for addressing foot alignment issues in individuals with flat feet and can be seamlessly integrated into rehabilitation or activities that require enhanced foot performance. The research indicated a discernible reduction in foot pronation [3].

In the study conducted by D'silva et al., consistent findings were observed across all groups. When comparing the results within each group, there was a significant and noteworthy decrease in navicular drop height. Specifically, in Group C, there was a statistically significant change in the linear distance of the foot after the treatment. However, the arch index remained unchanged following interventions, including mobilization, low dye taping, and faradic foot bath. When comparing these parameters between the groups, no statistical significance was noted. Following the intervention, Group A exhibited a 32.03% reduction in navicular drop height, Group B showed a 35.92% decrease, and Group C demonstrated a 39.66% reduction. As for the changes in the arch index, Group A remained at 0, Group B at 0.0005, and Group C at 0.002. These results suggest that talonavicular mobilization, faradic foot bath, and low dye taping led to an equally effective reduction in navicular drop height among individuals with flat feet [17].

As per the findings from Kaur et al.'s study, it was demonstrated that the faradic foot bath effectively improved the MLA in individuals with flexible flat feet. The study involved a sample of 30 participants aged between 18 and 28 years. Assessment was performed using Staheli's arch index, and a comprehensive intervention was administered to all participants over a three-week period. Evaluations were conducted at both the beginning and end of the three-week intervention. Importantly, measurements of Staheli's arch index before and after the treatment for subjects with flexible flat feet exhibited a statistically significant difference. The faradic foot bath showed the ability to reduce foot pronation in individuals with flexible flat feet and contribute to the maintenance of the MLA [20].

In a study conducted by Park and Park, the impact of SFE on the muscle activity of the abductor hallucis and navicular height was investigated in individuals both with and without flat feet. The study encompassed 12 subjects, including those with and without pes planus (flat feet). During the SFE, the activity of the tibialis anterior, fibularis longus, and abductor hallucis longus muscles was assessed in both groups, and the navicular drop height was measured before and after the exercises. For the symptomatic group, the navicular drop height was found to be significantly reduced in the post-measurement compared to the pre-measurement. Additionally, during the SFE, the pes planus group exhibited noticeably lower activity in the fibularis longus muscle than the control group (p<0.05). This study concluded that SFE effectively reduced navicular drop in individuals with flat feet [30].

Conclusions

In conclusion, the review article highlights the significance of assessing the impact of therapeutic interventions such as faradic foot baths and SFE on individuals with symptomatic flat feet. The analyzed studies underscore the potential benefits of these approaches in improving foot arch function and posture, reducing pain, and enhancing overall foot health. However, further well-designed research is warranted to establish the long-term effectiveness, optimal protocols, and comparative efficacy of these interventions. Clinicians and researchers alike should consider the findings of this review as a foundation for shaping future interventions and advancing the management of symptomatic flat feet.

References