Is this true? More importantly, would it be better for me to get insoles anyway? If I don’t, would I experience pain, say, 10 years later and will it contribute to osteoarthritis in my later years?

This is important to me as I have undergone surgery for a slipped disc. I am also a regular jogger. Would jogging without proper insoles affect my back in years to come?

A Flat foot, medically termed Pes Planus, is very common. It is often described as collapsed arches where the sole of the foot comes into complete contact with the ground.

This occurs in 20 to 30 per cent of the population and often shows no evidence of any underlying illness. I would agree with your family doctor that adaptations occur to compensate for the altered mechanics of the feet. Muscles around the ankle and leg may have to work harder to assist in foot function and walking and running motion.

Flat foot in itself may not cause problems. However, it may increase the risk of other problems around, say, the foot and the knee.

It may be worthwhile to pay particular attention to your footwear if you are running regularly. As for your foot type, you would require running shoes with more support. If such measures do not suffice, then a consultation with a podiatrist withregard to insoles would be helpful.