|
Most people suffer from excessive pronation due to flat feet when walking, running and standing. Though the foot may appear normal when sitting down, with a clear arch present under the foot, over-pronation becomes noticeable when we stand or walk as a result of weight bearing. The arches collapse with every step we take, and the ankles roll inwards, which is called over-pronation - a biomechanical imbalance that can lead to many painful foot conditions such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, tendonitis, and can even affect other parts of the body such as the knees and lower back. What Causes Over-Pronation? Over-pronation is a common biomechanical problem that occurs when the arches collapse while walking or standing. This condition hampers our natural walking pattern, causing an imbalance, and leading to wear and tear in other parts of the body with every step we take. Whether you suffer from over-pronation, or you have a true flat foot, in both cases your poor walking pattern may contribute to a range of different complaints. As we age, poor alignment of the feet causes very common conditions such as heel pain or knee pain. Some causes of over-pronation include:
* Obesity
* Pregnancy
* Age
* Repetitive pounding on a hard surface Very common with athletes, especially runners, over-pronation can often be relieved with orthotics placed in their shoes. Flat Feet: All You Need to Know You have flat feet when the arch on the inside of your foot has fallen. Both feet may be affected or only one. This condition is very common and most people with flat feet go their entire lives without experiencing pain or discomfort. For others, however, having flat feet causes a number of symptoms, such as foot and leg pain, calf and ankle pain, and inflammation. While it's not necessary to have an arch to walk, run or live normally, it is very common for people with little or no arch to have pain and discomfort that can lead to more serious problems, such as bunions, calluses, shin splints, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis. Relieving the Pain Caused by Flatfeet Luckily, most people with flatfeet rarely experience pain. However, if pain does occur see your Scarborough podiatrist for an evaluation. The best way to treat flat feet is to determine the cause of the pain. An x-ray and exam performed by your podiatrist in Scarborough can generally identify the problem. Talk with your podiatrist about the following treatment options: * Orthotics. Shoe inserts or custom-made orthotics from your podiatrist can help provide the best comfort and support for your foot.
* Shoe Modifications. Many times simply modifying your footwear can help relieve the pain caused by your flatfoot. Talk to your podiatrist about which shoes will provide the best support for your feet.
* Rest and Ice. Limit your activities and avoid standing on your feet for long periods of time. Ice your foot to reduce inflammation.
* Stretching exercises. Different stretches can help relieve foot pain and help strengthen muscles.
* Medications. To reduce inflammation and pain, your podiatrist may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
* Surgery. When conservative treatments aren't effective, there are a variety of surgical procedures that may be considered to relive pain and improve foot function. Whether you were born with flat feet or you acquired fallen arches over time, if your flatfeet are causing you problems, talk with your podiatrist and foot specialist in Scarborough about treatments for the pain. He can work with you determine the best techniques to eliminate the pain, improve your mobility and get you back to the activities you love.
Vincent Ku, DPodM, Scarborough, ON chiropodist/podiatrist, of Morningside Foot & Ankle Clinic is a solo practitioner dedicated to providing comfort and balance for his patients feet. Vincent Ku, DPodM, Scarborough foot specialist, completed his graduate studies in Podiatric Medicine at the Michener Institute.
|
