What are the main causes of foot arch pain. How can you identify and treat arch pain effectively. What preventive measures can help maintain healthy foot arches. Discover expert insights on managing arch discomfort

Understanding Foot Arch Anatomy and Function

The foot arch is a crucial component of our lower extremities, playing a vital role in our ability to walk, run, and maintain balance. Composed of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, the arch runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the ball, acting as a natural shock absorber and weight distributor.

How does the foot arch work? The arch’s unique structure allows it to compress and rebound with each step, storing and releasing energy to propel us forward. This mechanism not only aids in movement efficiency but also helps protect the rest of the body from excessive impact forces.

Key Components of the Foot Arch

• Plantar fascia: A thick band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes
• Tarsal and metatarsal bones: Form the skeletal structure of the arch
• Intrinsic foot muscles: Provide support and control to the arch
• Tendons and ligaments: Connect and stabilize the various elements

Understanding these components is crucial for identifying potential sources of arch pain and implementing effective treatment strategies.

Common Causes of Arch Pain: From Overuse to Structural Issues

Arch pain can stem from various factors, ranging from acute injuries to chronic conditions. Recognizing these causes is the first step towards finding relief and preventing further discomfort.

Plantar Fasciitis: A Leading Cause of Arch Pain

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most prevalent causes of arch pain. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot, becomes inflamed or irritated. What are the typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis? Patients often report a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel or arch, especially during the first steps in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest.

Flat Feet and Fallen Arches

Flat feet, also known as pes planus, is a condition where the arch of the foot collapses, causing the entire sole to come into contact with the ground. This can occur naturally or develop over time due to factors such as aging, weight gain, or injury. How does having flat feet contribute to arch pain? The lack of proper arch support can lead to increased strain on the plantar fascia and other foot structures, resulting in discomfort and pain.

Abnormal Pronation: Overpronation and Supination

Pronation refers to the natural inward rolling motion of the foot during walking or running. When this motion becomes excessive (overpronation) or insufficient (supination), it can lead to arch pain and other foot-related issues. How can you tell if you have abnormal pronation? A podiatrist can perform a gait analysis to assess your foot mechanics and determine if pronation is contributing to your arch pain.

Identifying Arch Pain: Symptoms and Diagnostic Approaches

Recognizing the symptoms of arch pain is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. While the specific symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause, there are some common indicators to watch for.

Typical Symptoms of Arch Pain

• Dull or sharp pain along the arch of the foot
• Increased pain after standing or walking for extended periods
• Swelling or tenderness in the arch area
• Pain that worsens with certain activities, such as running or jumping
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance

If you experience persistent arch pain, it’s essential to consult a podiatrist or foot specialist for a proper diagnosis. How do medical professionals diagnose arch pain? They typically employ a combination of physical examination, medical history review, and imaging tests to determine the root cause of the discomfort.

Diagnostic Techniques for Arch Pain

1. Physical examination: Assessing foot structure, flexibility, and areas of tenderness
2. Gait analysis: Observing walking and running patterns to identify biomechanical issues
3. Imaging tests: X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound to visualize bone and soft tissue structures
4. Pressure plate analysis: Measuring weight distribution across the foot

These diagnostic approaches help healthcare providers develop targeted treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific condition.

Treatment Options for Arch Pain: From Conservative to Surgical Approaches

Once the cause of arch pain has been identified, various treatment options are available. The most appropriate course of action depends on the severity of the condition and the individual patient’s needs.

Conservative Treatment Methods

For many cases of arch pain, conservative treatments can provide significant relief. What are some non-invasive approaches to managing arch pain?

• Rest and ice therapy: Reducing inflammation and promoting healing
• Stretching exercises: Improving flexibility of the plantar fascia and calf muscles
• Orthotic devices: Custom or over-the-counter inserts to provide arch support
• Proper footwear: Shoes with adequate arch support and cushioning
• Physical therapy: Strengthening exercises and manual techniques
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter or prescription options to reduce pain and swelling

Advanced Treatment Options

In cases where conservative measures prove insufficient, more advanced treatments may be necessary. How do healthcare providers approach persistent arch pain?

• Corticosteroid injections: Reducing inflammation in severe cases
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT): Using sound waves to stimulate healing
• Custom orthotics: Precisely crafted inserts to address specific foot mechanics
• Night splints: Devices worn during sleep to maintain proper foot positioning

Surgical Interventions

While rarely necessary, surgical options may be considered for chronic or severe cases of arch pain that do not respond to conservative treatments. What surgical procedures are available for addressing arch pain?

• Plantar fascia release: Partially cutting the plantar fascia to relieve tension
• Tendon transfer: Repositioning tendons to improve arch support
• Osteotomy: Reshaping bones to correct structural abnormalities
• Arthrodesis: Fusing joints to stabilize the foot and reduce pain

It’s important to note that surgical interventions are typically considered a last resort and are only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion with a foot specialist.

Preventing Arch Pain: Proactive Measures for Foot Health

While not all cases of arch pain can be prevented, there are several steps individuals can take to reduce their risk and maintain healthy foot arches.

Proper Footwear Selection

Choosing appropriate footwear is crucial for arch health. How can you select shoes that support your arches?

• Look for shoes with good arch support and cushioning
• Ensure proper fit, with adequate room in the toe box
• Replace shoes regularly, especially if you engage in high-impact activities
• Consider custom orthotics or arch supports for additional support

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Excess body weight can place additional stress on the foot arches. How does weight management contribute to arch health? By maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce the load on your feet, decreasing the risk of arch pain and other foot-related issues.

Regular Foot Exercises and Stretches

Strengthening and stretching the muscles and tissues in your feet can help prevent arch pain. What are some effective exercises for maintaining arch health?

• Toe curls: Grabbing small objects with your toes to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles
• Calf stretches: Lengthening the Achilles tendon and calf muscles
• Plantar fascia stretches: Gently pulling the toes back towards the shin
• Arch lifts: Raising and lowering the arch while keeping toes and heel on the ground

When to Seek Professional Help for Arch Pain

While minor arch discomfort may resolve with home care, certain situations warrant professional medical attention. How can you determine when it’s time to consult a podiatrist or foot specialist?

Signs That Indicate the Need for Medical Evaluation

• Persistent pain lasting more than a few weeks
• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
• Swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area
• Pain accompanied by numbness or tingling
• Difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot
• Noticeable changes in foot shape or structure

Seeking timely medical attention can prevent the progression of underlying conditions and facilitate more effective treatment outcomes.

Innovative Approaches to Arch Pain Management

As medical research advances, new and innovative approaches to managing arch pain continue to emerge. What cutting-edge treatments are showing promise in the field of podiatry?

Regenerative Medicine Techniques

Regenerative medicine approaches aim to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. How are these techniques being applied to arch pain?

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Injecting concentrated platelets to promote tissue repair
• Stem cell therapy: Using the body’s own stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues
• Amniotic tissue injections: Harnessing the healing properties of amniotic membranes

Advanced Imaging and Diagnostic Tools

Improved diagnostic capabilities allow for more precise treatment planning. What new technologies are enhancing arch pain diagnosis?

• 3D foot scanning: Creating detailed digital models of foot structure
• Dynamic pressure mapping: Analyzing foot pressure patterns during movement
• Ultrasound-guided injections: Improving accuracy of therapeutic interventions

Wearable Technology and Biofeedback

Wearable devices and biofeedback systems are increasingly being used to monitor foot health and provide real-time feedback. How can these technologies benefit individuals with arch pain?

• Smart insoles: Tracking pressure distribution and gait patterns
• Posture correction devices: Alerting users to improper foot positioning
• Biofeedback training: Teaching patients to adjust their gait and posture

These innovative approaches offer new possibilities for managing arch pain and improving overall foot health. As research continues, we can expect even more advanced and effective treatments to become available.

In conclusion, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for arch pain is essential for maintaining healthy and pain-free feet. By implementing preventive measures, seeking timely medical attention when needed, and staying informed about the latest advancements in foot care, individuals can take proactive steps towards optimal arch health and overall well-being.

Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine: Podiatry

The components in your foot, which include muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissue, give it the flexibility you need to walk, run, and jump. Your arch runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to the ball of your foot and helps bear some of the weight of your body. It also acts as a shock absorber for every step you take. 

Whether it’s due to an injury or a structural problem within your foot, arch pain is common and can make walking, running, jumping, and many other activities that require fancy footwork unpleasant. At Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine, we want you to know what may be causing your arch pain so you can take the necessary steps to get relief from your discomfort.

Pain in my arch

High-impact activities and overuse are common causes of arch pain, which is why runners and athletes are at risk. However, aging and weight gain can also affect the mechanics of your foot, resulting in pain.  

The type of pain you experience may depend on the underlying cause and may be felt in the heel or ball of your foot. Your arch pain may also travel to the top of your foot or your ankle, as well as your knees, hips, and back. 

Common causes of arch pain

Any injury or alteration in the structure of your foot can lead to arch pain. Some of the most common causes include:

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia, causes a stinging pain in the arch or heel of your foot that’s usually worse when you first wake up in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time. Your plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from the back of your heel to the ball of your foot. Too much stress on the tissue, often caused by running, leads to inflammation and swelling of the tissue that causes arch pain.

Flat feet

If the arch of your foot touches against the floor when you’re standing up, then it’s possible that you have flat feet. This condition can occur in childhood if your arch never fully developed. However, it’s also possible for your arches to fall as an adult due to injury, overuse, or excess body weight. 

Flat feet don’t always cause pain, but you can experience aching in the heel or ball of your feet, especially after activity. 

Abnormal pronation

Pronation refers to the natural movement of your foot as you walk or run. Normally, when you take a step your foot rolls slightly inward, which improves shock absorption, as well as proper alignment of your ankles and knees. If your foot rolls inward too far (overpronation) or outward (underpronation) when you walk, it throws off the biomechanics within your foot and may be responsible for your arch pain.

Sprains, strains, and fractures can also cause arch pain. Due to the many possible causes, if  you’re experiencing arch pain, you should have it evaluated so you get the right treatment.

Getting relief for arch pain

Getting relief for your arch pain may depend on the underlying cause. Our podiatric experts conduct comprehensive examinations so we can identify the cause and provide the most effective treatment, which may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy
• Custom-made orthotics

For issues related to pronation, we offer gait analysis, which breaks down each element of your gait to assess how the biomechanics within your foot may be contributing to your arch pain. 

No matter the cause, arch pain isn’t something you simply have to live with. In fact, not taking care of the underlying cause of your pain may lead to more foot problems. For comprehensive podiatric care, call our office in Kirkland, Washington, at 425-243-4957.

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Staff writer

Common Causes of Arch Pain

Our foot arches serve a quietly important role in standing, walking, jumping, and running. The arch in the foot supports your posture and facilitates proper gait.

Because you use your feet so often throughout the day, your foot arches are susceptible to pain. Let’s talk about some of the main causes of arch pain and where you can go to receive treatment.

What Causes Pain in the Foot Arches?

In addition to overuse, here are a few of the most common causes of arch pain:

Weight Gain

Because your foot arches support your full body weight when standing up, they can experience pain when you gain weight. The additional weight adds downward pressure, strain, and stress to your feet.

Aging

Getting older affects everything, including your foot arches. The bones in the feet incur wear and tear from general use over time, and the cartilage gradually wears out as well. The ligaments in your feet may also stretch out and lose their structural integrity, affecting the height of your foot arch. These changes contribute to pain in your arches and may develop into flat feet.

Overpronation

Overpronation is a term used to describe how your foot moves while walking, running, or jogging. It is the way in which your feet land on the outer back edge of your heel first, and then roll forward onto the arch and through to the toes: In overpronation, the foot rolls too far inward due to a lack of support from the arches.

This issue causes arch, heel, and ankle pain. Over time, your pain may worsen and reach your knee, hip, and back. If not properly addressed by a doctor, it can lead to plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and bunions.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports your foot along the bottom, between the heel and the toes. Extreme tension and stress on this part of your feet can result in tears, irritation, and inflammation, contributing to arch pain. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial, but overuse, age, and obesity increase your risk.

Flat Feet

This condition is characterized by having flat arches on the insides of your feet. It usually develops during childhood, but injury and aging may also cause this condition. Although having flat feet is often painless, it can contribute to other foot problems as it alters posture and alignment of your legs.

Arch Pain Relief in Cincinnati

If you are experiencing chronic or recurrent arch pain, or if you notice swelling and weakness in your feet, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Here at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care, our medical team has been successfully diagnosing and treating foot problems for decades, helping our patients get back on their feet and back in action. We also provide custom orthotics and diabetic shoes, depending on what your feet need to keep you in step.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call our friendly staff today by calling the location nearest you or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you enjoy a pain-free, active lifestyle once again.

Arch Pain | Bottom Of Foot Hurts

Arch pain is felt on the underside of your foot between the heel and ball. The purpose of the arch is to transfer your body weight from heel to toe, and pain is the result when the arch doesn’t function properly.

Your foot actually contains two arches: the longitudinal arch which runs the length of your foot, and the transverse arch (also known as the metatarsal arch) which spans the width of your foot. There are 24 bones which create the arches and these bones are held together through their unique interlocking shapes and ligaments. The muscles and the plantar fascia (a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs from the heel to the toes) provide secondary support, and fat pads help to absorb impact and bear your weight. If any of these structures or their interaction are damaged or faulty, arch pain may occur.

The most common cause of arch pain is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia. You may also suffer arch pain if you have a structural imbalance in your foot or suffer from arthritis.

See our page on plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain and arch pain.

But arch pain may also result from stepping on a rock or when someone steps on your foot. This force may cause an injury such as a bone fracture or damage to the supporting muscles, ligaments, or tendons underneath your foot.

What causes arch pain

• Direct force trauma
• Flat feet
• Pronated foot (rolls inward when walking)
• Ligament sprains
• Muscle strains
• Biomechanical problems
• Stress fractures
• Overuse (plantar fasciitis)
• Too tight or too loose joints in the foot
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Arthritis

Symptoms of Arch Pain

• Pain and tenderness on the bottom of the foot
• Pain may be increased or decreased by stretching of the arch
• Pain may decrease or subside as the foot “warms up” with activity
• Pain may increase with activity
• Pain when foot is fully extended, flexed, or turned in and out
• Burning sensation at the center of the arch

Treatment for arch pain
Your podiatrist at PA Foot and Ankle Associates may recommend one or more of these treatments to manage your arch pain:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Over the counter pain medications
• Custom in-shoe orthotics to relieve pressure and balance the foot
• Shoe modifications
• Change in footwear (no high heels)
• Stretching exercises
• Surgery for severe cases

Arch pain may have a variety of causes and proper evaluation and diagnosis by a podiatrist is essential in planning an effective treatment.

The 5 Most Common Causes of Foot Arch Pain

Arch pain is more common than you think and can affect anyone, not just athletes. The foot has three arches: the medial, lateral, and traverse arches.

The arches in your feet bear weight, absorb shock, and help you to balance. They also stabilize movement and adapt to changing terrain when you walk or run. Given the important function of your feet, it is inevitable that you will feel pains sometimes.

“Why does my foot arch hurt?”, you may ask. Causes of foot arch pain vary, and we’ll discuss the five most common ones here.

1. Muscle, Bone, Ligament, or Tendon Injury

Aside from injury to the tendons, ligaments, bones, or muscles in your foot, you could have structural issues such as high arches or flat feet. Structural faults can be exacerbated by significant weight gain, overuse and physical stress, aging, or neurological conditions.

2. Plantar Fasciitis

The ligament that connects your heel and the front of your foot is called the plantar fascia. Inflammation, overuse, or injury to the plantar fascia cause plantar fasciitis, a common complaint among runners and non-runners alike.

Plantar fasciitis causes you to have painful, stiff heels and arches. It is most often more painful when you wake up in the morning, or after prolonged periods on your feet. Frequent pain of this type suggests that a different type of shoe or orthotic shoe inserts that provide support and comfort can help give relief, as can foot-strengthening stretches.

3. Overpronation

Overpronation is when the outer edge of the heel hits the ground first, followed by the foot rolling inwards onto the arch. This can flatten the foot too much.

Long-term effects of prolonged overpronation include muscle, tendon, and ligament damage. Such damage can cause problems leading to arch pain. Signs that you overpronate are greater wear on the sole of your shoe corresponding to the ball of the foot and the inside of the heel. Stability shoes can correct your gait, thereby alleviating any hip, knee, or back pain, and pain from corns or calluses.

4. Cavus Foot

Cavus foot is a foot that has a very high arch. In some cases, it is an inherited condition, although it is often predicated by neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, or CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).

People with cavus foot feel pain when walking or standing. They might also have hammer toe, claw toe, or calluses, and be more likely to get ankle sprains because of the resultant instability.

Orthotic shoe inserts can help relieve pain as can shoes that provide extra ankle support. Surgery is required in some cases.

5. PTTD – Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

PTTD occurs as a result of injury to or inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon. This is the tendon that connects the inner foot to a muscle in the calf. Arch pain results if this tendon can no longer support the arch.

Arch pain for PTTD is likely to be felt along the back of the calf and the inner ankle. There may also be ankle swelling. Pain is normally experienced during sporting activities, and not afterward.

Custom shoe inserts and ankle braces and physical therapy can help PTTD. Some cases require surgery.

Are Causes of Foot Arch Pain Causes For Concern?

The same old advice applies here. Talk to your doctor if home remedies don’t work, or your pain gets worse. A doctor can review your medical history and perform a physical examination and any other diagnostic tests to arrive at a diagnosis before recommending appropriate treatment.

Often treatment will be non-invasive, in which case, Apex can give you the support you need!

Plantar Fasciitis | Cedars-Sinai

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What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the bottom of the heel, the arch or both areas. The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous, ligamentlike band on the bottom of the foot. It is attached to the heel, runs forward along the foot and attaches again at the ball of the foot.

When the plantar fascia becomes irritated and swollen, the condition is called plantar fasciitis.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

With every step we take, our body weight comes to rest first on the heel and then gradually over the length of the foot. As the foot begins to bear weight, it flattens. This puts pressure on the plantar fascia, which has very little stretch. As we walk, the plantar fascia pulls on its attachment at the heel.

If the foot is properly aligned, this pull causes no problems. If the foot is pronated — meaning it rolls outward at the ankle — the arch falls too much and there is an abnormal amount of pull on the fairly rigid plantar fascia. This causes an abnormally strong pull on the heel where the plantar fascia attaches.

Something similar happens when the foot has supination, meaning it rolls inward. These type of feet are relatively inflexible, usually have a high arch and a short or unusually tight plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis can be caused by:

• A lack of arch support.
• A sudden injury.
• A tendency to roll your feet one way or another.
• An increase in activities such as running, basketball, tennis, soccer or gymnastics that involve repetitive pounding of foot.
• Being overweight.
• Doing a lot of walking barefooted.
• Having one leg that is shorter than the other. This causes the foot on the longer leg to carry the body’s entire weight longer than normal, stressing the fascia on that foot. Additionally, the foot of the shorter leg falls to the ground harder, putting more pressure on that foot.
• Poor flexibility in the calf muscle.
• Poor training for physical activities.
• Standing too long.
• Wearing shoes that don’t bend easily under the ball of the foot.
• Wearing shoes with too little cushioning.

It’s not always possible to identify the cause. Plantar fasciitis tends to develop as we get older and the fascia become less elastic. Women tend to get this condition more than men.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel pain in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a bruise or an ache. The pain tends to gradually go away once you begin walking around. With continued walking, the pain may return, but usually goes away after rest. If the swollen plantar fascia irritated a nerve in the foot, pain may radiate into the ankle.

In the early stages of plantar fasciitis, the pain may go away quickly once you take weight off the foot. Over time, however, it may take longer and longer for the pain to go away. Without treatment, the plantar fascia will eventually tear partially away from the heel. The body fills the torn area in with calcium. This eventually becomes a bone and is called a heel spur.

How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed on the basis of your description of your symptoms. Your doctor may examine your foot and its structure or look at your shoes to see how they are wearing. (Feet that pronate tend to break down the inner side of the shoe; feet that supinate tend to break down the outer side of the shoe.)

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Depending on the individual, different treatments may be more effective than others. Approaches include:

• Rest. It can help to do ess weight-bearing exercise that involves running and jumping. Sitting or lying down and raising your feet can also reduce swelling.
• Applying ice. Using ice packs to cool (not freeze) your foot helps reduce pain and swelling. The ice should be used on heels and arches (not toes) for about 20 minutes three times a day. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should discuss this with your doctor first.
• Orthotics.
• Heel cushions. These off-the-shelf devices go inside your shoes.
• Splinting your foot at night.
• Avoid going barefoot.
• Stretching your foot.

Key points

• Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the bottom of the heel, the arch or both areas. The condition comes on with inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligamentlike band on the bottom of the foot.
• It’s not always possible to know which of the numerous causes of plantar fasciitis is at work.
• Rest, ice and heel cushions are some ways to treat the condition.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

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Foot Arch Pain that Doesn’t Point to Plantar Fasciitis

Cavus foot

In some, heel pain may be the result of cavus foot. Cavus foot describes feet that have a very high arch, and, as a result, an uneven or incorrect distribution of weight occurs. Cavus foot is typically an inherited physical irregularity, but it can occur as a result of a neurological problem like a stroke or cerebral palsy. People who have cavus foot feel foot pain when standing or walking. They may also suffer from calluses, hammertoes, and or claw toes.

Cavus foot can lead to a range of other manifestations, such as frequently sprained ankles, increased pain in the shins and calves, and a higher chance of a stress fracture in the foot. While an individual with cavus foot may experience foot arch pain, it does not necessarily mean they are also experiencing plantar fasciitis. However, the two often go hand in hand. If you are experiencing cavus foot, work with a podiatrist who can determine a treatment that targets both conditions. Treatment for both conditions includes supportive footwear (custom foot orthotics are recommended), calf stretches, and physical therapy. If a neurological condition causes cavus foot, the treatment varies depending upon which neurological condition. When getting your annual healthy foot check-up with one of our podiatrists at Arizona Foot Doctors, treatment and support options can be discussed.

Overpronation

If you’re experiencing foot arch pain, heel pain, or ankle pain, talk to your doctor about gait. If, when taking a step, your heel hits the ground first, and then you feel pressure inward on your arch, it could be because you’re overpronating and therefore over-flattening your foot. If this isn’t as noticeable, look at the bottom of your most worn shoes. On the sole, if there are more wear and tear on the arch’s heel and inner area, this may be a sign that you overpronate when you step.

In some cases, overpronation can cause pain in your knees, hips, or back due to improper gait. Eventually, overpronation can damage muscles, ligaments, and tendons and lead to Plantar Fasciitis if left unsupported. If you or a loved one are experiencing discomfort such as foot pain or arch pain, reach out to your podiatrist. A podiatrist may recommend stretches, physical therapy exercises, or orthotics to help patients correct overpronation.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

A condition known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), also known as adult-acquired flatfoot, can sometimes arise due to past traumas of the foot or ankle, past surgeries of the foot or ankle, or hypertension. These injuries can cause inflammation to the posterior tibial tendon, which is responsible for the connection between the calf muscle and the inner foot. Prolonged inflammation and degeneration will weaken the tendon, meaning the tendon can no longer support the foot’s inner arch. You may experience this foot arch pain that is not Plantar Fasciitis but may seem like it at first.

Someone with PTTD may experience pain and swelling in the arch of the foot, weakness in their foot, and may not be able to perform a heel raise. There are a variety of treatment options depending on the progression of PTTD. A podiatrist can collaborate with you and your lifestyle in mind to treat and manage your PTTD symptoms.

Foot Arch Pain: Signs and Causes | Dr. Stein

Whether you’re an active runner, a busy corporate employee, or a stay-at-home Dad, your feet take a beating daily. For many people, this results in pain in the arches of their feet. Unfortunately, the cause of your pain may not always be clear. If not tied to a specific activity, you may have difficulty figuring out what to do to prevent and combat the pain in your arches. Once you figure out what condition is causing your foot arch pain, it will become easier to address it daily and treat it with the help of medical professionals.

If you are in severe pain, you should not hesitate to contact a local orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Benjamin Stein will help you to find the precise cause of your pain and return to a pain-free life as quickly as possible. However, if the pain you’re experiencing in your arch is more of a dull ache or chronic pain that occasionally flares up, there are a couple of possibilities that could be responsible. Here we will discuss the most common causes of foot arch pain. Knowing them, you can begin an informed conversation with your general practitioner and receive specialized help if necessary.

Plantar Fasciitis

Statistically, there is a very good chance that plantar fasciitis causes your arch pain. About two million people are treated for it every year. It’s a medical term that describes inflammation in the plantar fascia. This is a bow-like (think Hunger Games, not Christmas present) ligament that connects the pad of your foot to the heel.

Plantar fasciitis is most common in athletes that regularly participate in high-impact activity. However, it is also common in people who are obese or naturally have an extremely high arch. In all three cases, the activity or structure of the body puts the ligament under additional stress, prompting inflammation.

Regardless of the cause, plantar fasciitis typically presents as an ache or stiffness in the heel or arch of the foot. However, some patients do experience more intense discomfort. In these cases, pain tends to be more severe first thing in the morning. Fortunately, plantar fasciitis can usually be treated by wearing supportive inserts and performing regular foot stretches.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Usually referred to as PTTD, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is sometimes referred to as adult-acquired flat foot. The condition is caused by an injury to the posterior tibial tendon, resulting in inflammation. Symptoms develop and worsen over time, as the tendon can no longer properly support the ankle or the arch of the foot.

When the condition first develops, patients may notice pain and swelling along with a visible flattening of the arch. If left untreated, then the structural integrity of the foot and ankle will continue to deteriorate. Over time, the arch will continue to flatten, and the foot will turn out as the ankle rolls inward.

Orthotic devices, medications, and physical therapy may treat the condition if caught early. However, if your PTTD has progressed too far, then you may required surgical intervention.

If you suspect that PTTD may be the cause of your arch pain, speak with your general practitioner, and contact a local orthopedic surgeon. Together, they will ensure that you receive the care you need by putting together a progressive treatment plan starting with the least invasive options. This approach will give you the best chance of addressing the condition and the least risk.

Overpronation

Of the possible causes for your foot arch pain, this is possibly the easiest to treat. People with flat feet are more likely to overpronate. Many people walk this way regardless of underlying medical conditions. Outside of overpronation caused by an outside contributing factor, the term just refers to an error in stride.

People who overpronate allow the outer edge of the heel to hit the ground first rather than distributing impact across the entire foot. This method of walking puts additional strain on the arch and ankle, resulting in discomfort. Fortunately, for those who just naturally walk this way, there are deliberate motions and foot exercises that can help to correct the stride.

If you are struggling with overpronation and at-home exercises aren’t working for you, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Orthotic devices and dedicated physical therapy can help to treat your overpronation and reduce the discomfort you feel daily. With care, you can lessen your foot arch pain. Contact an expert today!

90,000 Foot pain: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

In terms of frequency, this pain is less common than pain in the back and in the leg in general, but still quite often it is the reason for referring to an orthopedist or rheumatologist. Often flat feet are considered the cause of pain in the foot, but it must be understood that deformities of the feet are formed during the entire period of the child’s growth and by the age of 18-20, when these deformities have already been formed, a person does not experience pain discomfort in the feet due to good adaptation.The patient is more worried about “bumps on the toes”, improper treading of the heel and difficulties with the selection of shoes, ie. not painful problems. If pain appears at the same time, it is not in the feet, but higher, in the legs. With flat feet, it is not the feet that hurt, but the overloaded muscles of the lower leg. But often, when a patient with pain in the feet goes to the doctor, we do not hear anything except the need to wear insoles-supinato ry.

Causes of foot pain

Pain in the feet as the main symptom usually appears in the 4th decade of life and this suggests that one must “live” in order to have such complaints.At the consultation, the doctor often pays attention to the outer side of the problem and, finding a deformity of the foot, almost any pain is associated with it. But if you “dig deeper”, you can identify many interesting finds and beyond that. This is why comprehensive diagnostics are important.

Foot pain is associated with two groups of problems. The first is “mechanical problems”, for example, incongruence of the surfaces that form the joints of the foot, getting between the rubbing surfaces of the soft tissues of the joint, bone growths along the edge of the articular surfaces.More gross changes responsible for pain can be traumatic injuries of bones and soft tissues. But more often the cause of pain is not “mechanics”, but inflammatory edema in the tendon-ligamentous structures.

In case of pain along the plantar surface of the heel, one speaks of a “heel spur”. This is aponeurositis – inflammation at the site of attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone. Such pain occurs only at the moment of resting on the leg and after a period of “pacing” it can completely disappear and reappear after rest, when a person gets up from a chair and begins to walk.

Pain on the back of the heel is usually associated with the Achilles tendon, its inflammation or inflammation of adjacent mucous bags. These pains are also associated with movement and usually decrease after a period of walking, but are greatly aggravated by touch, therefore, they require comfortable, wide shoes, without pressure on the pain zone. There are also “problem areas” on the front of the foot. This is interdigital pain associated with a conflict between the branches of the digital nerves and closely located fibrous structures, bursitis in places of increased friction of points in contact with the support.The tendons of the lower leg muscles, which are abundantly present on the foot, may become inflamed. In addition, the pathological process can be played out in the joints of the foot themselves, of which there are about 30 here.

Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the feet of feet

Before starting the treatment of pain in the foot, you need to try to figure out where it came from and why it appeared. Therefore, the clinic “Meddiagnostika” , first of all, offers high-quality diagnostics: X-ray, ultrasound of joints and soft tissues, MRI of the foot.

Usually 2 examinations are done: ultrasound and X-ray. MRI is performed as the third stage of diagnosis in 20-40% of “incomprehensible” cases. It will not interfere with the delivery of blood tests, urine, etc. some of the pain in the foot may be associated with chronic treated or untreated infections of various localization. When an antigenic trace of a microbe remains in the body, an autoimmune aseptic inflammation of the above structures of the foot can play out.

We believe that treatment begins with the diagnostic process.And when the patient gets to know what is the cause of the pain, he already becomes more comfortable and the treatment process is going in the right direction.

The following conditions may be the cause of your complaints of foot pain:

Treatment can only be effective if the diagnosis is correct. Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the foot is carried out at the Meddiagnostika Center.

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Foot alarms

Do you think that only children and adolescents should buy shoes for growth? Not at all.Also for adults who suffer from flat feet. And it can be different – longitudinal, transverse and longitudinal-transverse. By the way, in developed countries, foot pathology is a problem for more than 60% of the population of active age. Moreover, women suffer four times more often than men. The same situation is with us. And although many do not consider flat feet to be a serious disease, scientists have their own opinion on this matter.

When patients just enter the office, the specialist already sees what is happening. With flat feet, pain occurs both in the foot itself and in the muscles of the lower leg, explains Associate Professor of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Belarusian State Medical University, Candidate of Medical Sciences Evgeny Mikhnovich:

– Sometimes edema appears.Having such a problem, a person goes to the doctors, but he does not receive an answer to the question of why this is happening to him. In the meantime, the cause of the pain may be the displacement of the heel.

Our foot has many functions, one of them is shock-absorbing, designed to absorb all the shocks of the foot on the ground. But this applies to a healthy leg. A flat foot copes with such a load badly – it seems to read all the bumps on the road, and pain arises. The pressure on the spine, ankles, knee and hip joints increases, which leads to the premature development of arthrosis and destruction of the joints.

It is impossible not to notice the first signs of flat feet, because pain and fatigue appear in the legs. An alarming signal is unusually rapid wear on the heels, often on the inside. Often, the usual size ceases to fit, you have to buy a new pair one size larger.

A person with flat feet usually rests when walking not on three points of the foot – near the little toe, big toe and heel, but also in the middle. As a result, the bones are deformed. Therapeutic exercises, insoles, interdigital rollers, physiotherapy at the onset of the disease help to “preserve” it.But every fourth flatfoot is still progressing and requires surgical intervention.

Why does the foot become flattened and begin to deform? For example, longitudinal flat feet occurs due to static overload of the feet, features of the anatomical structure, when even the usual load is perceived as excessive. Another reason is congenital predisposition, “flimsy” and instability of the ligamentous apparatus. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis leads to deformities of the toes.

Wearing uncomfortable shoes with a narrow toe with high heels can also noticeably spoil the legs. However, many women are not even aware of their flat feet, because their toes are still flat, and in general, nothing bothers. But when corns appear on the sole, this is a clear sign of transverse flat feet.

Many people try to remove corns in pedicure salons. But there is little sense in this, because the cause of the troubles is in the transverse flat feet, Yevgeny Mikhnovich draws attention.In such a situation, only the operation saves: then the calluses will not have to be removed, because they disappear by themselves and do not appear any more.

Transverse flat feet occurs mainly in women: according to statistics, 55% of women over 20 suffer from this ailment. But flat feet, or longitudinal flat feet, have 17-29% of the population, while the disease is more common in men

ADVICE OF DOCTOR MIKHNOVICH

• If you are diagnosed with flat feet, do not stand for a long time in one position, shift from foot to foot, walk more.Incorrect loading leads to deforming arthrosis, or, as they say, to the deposition of salts. Then the pain intensifies.

• Do physical therapy every day.

• Use orthopedic insoles.

• Perform various physiotherapy procedures once a year, including massage of the calf muscles.

• Walk barefoot, but only on uneven surfaces – pebbles, sand, pebbles, bumps.When a person stands on an uneven surface, the sole of the foot is reflexively irritated, the muscles of the lower leg begin to contract automatically, which come to tone.

• Purchase a plastic spiked mat for daily use. In the morning, when you wash, you can stand on it barefoot. The same rug can be placed near the stove where food is prepared, but you do not need to stand on it for hours.

TEST

If the shoe wears out on the heel in the heel area and only slightly on the outside, then the foot is healthy.As soon as the heel “slides off” from the place provided by nature, as if turning outward, the heel grinds on the inner surface, which indicates longitudinal flat feet. With an advanced form of the disease, shoes are trampled not only in the heel area, but also along the entire inner surface of the sole, which is characteristic of pronounced longitudinal flat feet.

However, there is also a transverse flat foot, in which the shoe is trampled in width in the forefoot and is deformed in the area of ​​the large bone of the base of the first toe.And if bumps appear on the surface of shoes or boots, it means that the middle toes of the foot are deformed in the form of hammers. By the way, it is the transverse flat feet that leads to the pushing of the shoe insole to the holes under the heads of the middle metatarsal bones.

The scientist believes that no one is immune from flat feet. Even the profession of a person affects the probable possibility of the occurrence of the disease. Longitudinal flat feet are more common in people who are overweight, in those engaged in heavy physical labor, and transverse – in ballerinas.

Natalya Nevidomaya
Soviet Belarus , July 8, 2016

Why does the middle foot hurt | Clinic “Hello!”

05/17/2019

Why does the foot hurt in the middle

The foot is a rather complex anatomical structure. Due to heavy loads, the phenomenon when the foot hurts in the middle is not uncommon. The nature of the pain is very different:

• aching;
• one-time;
• pulling;
• constant;
• disappearing when resting.

May be accompanied by tingling, numbness, burning, itching.

The reasons why the arch of the foot hurts

Practice suggests that many things can cause discomfort in the legs. Wearing uncomfortable shoes, for example, is easily remedied and not very dangerous if you change your shoes in time. Other reasons lead to the destruction of joints and bones, and threaten disability. Therefore, it is unreasonable to ignore the signals of the body. Injuries often occur that also cause severe pain and require treatment.Excess weight puts additional stress on the feet and contributes to the deterioration of their structures.

Lead to discomfort and pain:

• physical activity;

90,058 weak muscles;

• lack of calcium;
• corns;
• continuous squeezing;
• fungal infections;
• deep calluses;
• tumors;
• metabolic disorders.

Which doctor should I contact? Will help get rid of the disease that attacked the foot:

Due to what diseases the foot of the foot hurts inside

Physicians are aware of a number of ailments of various etiologies that give pain.This includes:

Let’s consider them in more detail.

1. Flat feet. If the foot hurts in the middle from the inside, the reason may be deformation. Weak ligaments and muscles, heavy loads, pregnancy – all this affects the condition of the arch of the foot. Not one of the ages is immune from this pathology.

Doctors consider several types of flat feet:

• congenital;
• traumatic;
• paralytic;
• static;
• traumatic.

Swelling, cramps, leg fatigue are the most harmless consequences of flattening. The disease harms the spine, since the load is not distributed correctly, from which the entire musculoskeletal system suffers. In particular, the longitudinal arch of the foot hurts.

To correct the situation, a person is recommended to wear insoles, use pain relievers. It is necessary to undergo physiotherapy, take vitamin complexes, do therapeutic exercises. Early detection of pathology contributes to its faster and easier treatment.

2. The heel spur, as the disease is popularly called, in medical practice has the terminological designation “plantar fasciitis”. It all starts with inflammation of the connective tissue, a person feels pain in the foot between the heel and toe. More often, those who have to be on their feet for a long time are susceptible to the disease. Over time, the heel bone deforms, the spur grows. It, in turn, injures the surrounding tissues and further exacerbates the course of the disease.

As a rule, special shoes are prescribed, various physiotherapy procedures that can eliminate the build-up.Surgeons are involved in the treatment process in extreme cases. Rehabilitation after surgery takes a long time and is difficult, a person cannot walk for some time. Therefore, they try to do with conservative methods.

3. Osteoporosis occurs as a reaction of the body to a lack of trace elements, vitamins, calcium. This leads to fragility of bones, severe fatigue, decreased growth, poor blood circulation. More often, this ailment appears in people of age, needs long-term medical support, otherwise frequent fractures are inevitable.This is extremely dangerous for the elderly. Patients are prescribed drugs with fluoride, vitamin complexes.

4. For males, a pathology called obliterating endarteritis is characteristic. A dangerous disease with an unclear etiology leading to gangrene. Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels constricts them, there is a failure of blood circulation and tissue fester. There is pain in the foot in the middle from the inside, the fingers feel tingling, cramps occur, in advanced cases, the skin on the legs cracks, the muscles atrophy, then gangrene sets in.The foot has to be amputated.

If you turn to specialists in time, therapy will include:

• active physiotherapy;
• taking medications to normalize blood flow;
• rejection of factors leading to vasoconstriction, for example, smoking;
• drugs that relieve inflammation;
• exercise therapy.

Surgical treatments – removal of blood clots and placement of shunts.

5. Prolonged exertion and trauma results in tendonitis, ie.e. tendon inflammation. The development of the disease is slow, minor pain slowly develops into chronic. The pain syndrome will disturb the inner part of the foot, swelling will occur, a crunch will be heard, the skin will turn red. The disease threatens to provoke tissue rupture.

To put them in order, a person drinks anti-inflammatory and anesthetic agents, undergoes physiotherapy, takes massages and baths. Bandages that relieve the load from the injured limb become a passive remedy.

6. Arthritis and gout are also considered among the reasons why the foot hurts in the middle.

7. The inflammatory process in the ligaments is called ligamentitis. Its symptoms are edema, hyperemia, local temperature rise, poor joint function. Treatment is based on how quickly the disease progresses. As a rule, it is possible to dwell on therapeutic methods, but the operation is not excluded if the pathology is neglected and has spread to neighboring organs and tissues.

Diagnosis of pathology in which the foot hurts in the middle when walking

The first specialist who accepts a person with complaints of leg discomfort is a therapist.He examines the limb, probes painful areas, gives referral to narrower specialists.

Visual inspection gives an indication of:

• foot relief;
• swelling;
• elasticity of the foot;
• gait specifics;

90,058 volume of motion of the joint;

90,058 condition of the skin;

• finger placement.

To see the internal state of the entire foot, the patient goes through:

• X-ray;
• arthroscopy;
• tomography;
• ultrasound;
• makes an imprint of the sole.

The doctor may prescribe urine, blood tests, and joint fluid sampling.

What treatment is needed if the foot hurts when walking in the middle

To stop pain and eliminate inflammation, nonsteroidal drugs are prescribed. If the pathology has affected the articular structures, chondroprotectors will be needed.

Orthopedic footwear, insoles, cuts relieves the condition of the foot.

It has long been tested and proven that physiotherapy is indispensable for various ailments of joints, ligaments, bones.Therefore, such procedures are prescribed quite actively. Acupuncture and hirudotherapy are also used.

To improve the condition of all structures of the foot, the patient is prescribed a course of physiotherapy, which is performed with the participation of an exercise therapy instructor.

Surgeons come to the rescue in difficult cases.

Why does the upper part of the foot hurt?

Why does the foot hurt?

Nature has made a truly jewelry work, forcing the most complex system to function and withstand significant loads – the foot, which includes 26 bones, ligaments, vessels, nerves, fascia.All this is in a small volume, rather tightly “packed”. Therefore, even a small failure leads to the fact that the foot hurts from above or in any other part, and it is very painful to walk.

Causes of pain syndrome

Many years of research and medical practice indicate a variety of factors leading to painful sensations in the foot. It could be:

90,057 90,058 injuries

Do not ignore if there is pain in the foot above or in other parts, swelling, fever. This could be a sign of a serious malfunction of the body, which can lead to disability.

As a rule, discomfort covers the entire foot, which complicates diagnosis and requires high medical skill. Complaints should be addressed to:

Of course, narrow specialists are available only in specialized clinics. In the polyclinic, the surgeon is in charge of diseases of the bones, cartilage and articular tissue.

What diseases are manifested by pain

1. Injuries

In the process of vital activity, the foot is often traumatized. For example, something heavy falls on the leg, the foot twists, dislocations, fractures, sprains and ligament ruptures occur. The complexity of the injury is determined using X-ray.

Treatment suggests:

• Reduction of dislocation;
• plaster cast;
• wearing a splint;
• wearing an orthosis.

In 85% of cases of visits to a traumatologist, sprains are determined. If the ankle is displaced outward, the reason that the talus and the surrounding connective tissues hurt is a sprain, a rupture of the ligaments. A person feels severe sharp pain, swelling and hematoma immediately appear. Even after treatment, patients notice joint instability.

If a person has experienced a sprained ankle, a dislocation of the small bones in the foot may develop, which doctors call cuboid bone syndrome.Symptoms are morning aches, swelling, redness, pain in the outer part of the foot that extends to the toes. It happens that a person lives with this ailment for a long time. Meanwhile, it heals quite quickly with a professional approach.

A stress fracture, that is, a miniature crack in one of the bones, makes itself felt with mild pain, which tends to intensify. Practice shows that a fracture of this type is characteristic of the calcaneus, metatarsal, scaphoid bones. It is for injuries that the condition is characteristic that the foot is swollen from above and hurts.

2. Gout

Acute pain in the foot near the toes from above is often due to gout. The disease malfunctions in metabolism, in which uric acid salts are poorly excreted from the body. They accumulate in the joints for years, form whole salt deposits there, damage the cartilage, disable the joints. This ailment is characteristic for men, but it also occurs in women. An exacerbation is manifested by such an acute pain syndrome that it is impossible to tolerate. Without professional treatment, the patient eventually gets dysfunctional joints of the limbs.

3. Even ordinary calluses, if they have grown deep into the sole; a nail that has grown into a finger; warts – can lead to pain.

4. Systemic diseases

A common ailment today that affects the joints, damages blood vessels, leading to pinching of the nerves – arthritis. Common types are rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis. The joints will be swollen, their work will be reduced to almost zero.

Osteoarthritis, i.e. destruction of cartilaginous tissue, affects the fingers and ankles on the limbs, slowly leads to the proliferation of osteophytes and deformation of the fingers.

Osteoporosis is manifested by pain in the foot during exercise. The disease occurs in people aged due to:

• calcium deficiency;
• hormonal imbalances.

The diagnosis is confirmed by hardware texts, the treatment consists in taking medications with calcium, vitamins, hormones.

5. Development defects

Various physiological abnormalities can cause pain in the scaphoid bone of the foot, heel, instep, and the outer part of the foot.For example, a congenital pathology is a tarsal coalition, i.e. fusion of bones, leads to cramps, irregular gait. The disease with the romantic name Bunion deforms the thumb. Bursitis of this toe has a genetic predisposition. Surgery may be required to correct the defect.

Clubfoot and equinus foot are deforming pathologies. Flat feet, no matter what type they belong to, always deforms the leg, makes it difficult to move, and impairs gait.Pain in the top of the foot while walking and at rest should compel a person to seek medical attention.

6. Inflammation

One of the most common inflammatory ailments is plantar fasciitis. This is a pathology of connective tissue, which is manifested by morning pain. Inflammation of the bursae, i.e. bursitis, felt as painful areas near the fingers and in the joints. Ligamentitis and tendonitis – inflammation of the tendons and ligaments – contribute to pain.

7. Infectious diseases

The reason that when walking the foot hurts not only in the middle from above, but also in other places, infections become, for example:

• brucellosis;
• lime arthritis;
• pseudotuberculosis.

Streptococci and staphylococci lead to panaritium, inflammation of the fingers. Because of the infection, in a matter of hours, the finger will turn red, swell, and fester. The surgeon will have to quickly open the abscess and disinfect it.

Treatment

Due to the multiplicity and diversity of diseases that cause pain, there is no single treatment regimen. Pathologies such as arthritis and arthrosis are treated conservatively, prescribing pain relievers, anti-inflammatory and cartilage-restoring drugs.To get rid of gout, in addition to medications, a specific diet is of no small importance.

Injuries involve limb fixation and gentle motor mode.

Infectious pathologies require a course of antibiotics.

Deformities are treated for a long time. As a rule, doctors try to get by with therapeutic methods, orthopedic devices, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises. In extreme cases, you have to do an operation.

If the feet hurt from above from the sides or on the sole, there are a lot of reasons.Self-treatment is unacceptable, because many ailments have similar symptoms, and it is very easy for a layman to make a mistake with a diagnosis. An incorrect diagnosis can cause disability.

We specialize in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, even with severe disease. We have been helping thousands of patients to avoid surgery for 10 years!

This is the strongest team of experts that teaches at the RUDN Department. We are a clinical base of leading universities, where the best doctors in Moscow, unique specialists from Russia and abroad graduate.

Experts and teachers of our network, together with leading Israeli specialists, have developed unique treatment protocols based on the approved medical standards of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

90,000 Flat feet: description of the disease, causes, symptoms, cost of treatment in Moscow

Deformity of the foot, when the longitudinal or transverse arch descends and becomes compacted, is called flat feet.It can be transverse and longitudinal. There are situations when these two forms are combined. In most cases, the patient is diagnosed with flat feet of a transverse shape, which is combined with another deformity of the foot. In terms of percentage, the rate is slightly above 50% of all cases. The presence of longitudinal flat feet and other types of deformities occur in 25% of cases.

With transverse deformation of the foot, the transverse arch of the foot is compacted. There are five metatarsal bones on the foot.On such bones, namely on the head, the entire front part of the foot rests. As a result, a fan-shaped discrepancy of the metatarsal bones occurs, the deviation of the thumb outward, and the middle finger is deformed. That is, it contracts and bends abnormally. In addition, there is a decrease in the length of the foot. The transverse form of flat feet can be found in a person whose age varies from 35 to 55 years.

With longitudinal flat feet, the longitudinal arch of the foot is compacted.Also, there is an increase in its length, contact of the entire area of ​​the sole with the floor. It should be emphasized that this form of flat feet, in most cases, occurs in women. Among the factors that have an impact, one can single out body weight. In the presence of excess weight, the load on the foot increases, as a result of which the longitudinal flat feet appear more pronounced. In most cases, the disease occurs in people under the age of 30.

Why flat feet appear

The cause of the disease depends on the etiology.Deformity of the foot can be congenital and acquired. A child whose age does not exceed six years has all the signs of flat feet, as a result of which it is very difficult to identify the presence of congenital flat feet. This form of congenital disease occurs in no more than 5% of all cases. The provoking factor is hereditary slenderness and insufficiency of connective tissues.

Traumatic flat feet are caused by trauma, fracture of the ankle or ankle joint, damage to the soft tissues that strengthen the arch of the foot.In addition, flat feet of a traumatic nature appear if the calcaneus and tarsal bones are injured.

The appearance of paralytic flat feet occurs as a result of the transferred poliomyelitis. The tibial muscles and the muscles of the foot are paralyzed.

A disease resulting in a violation of the normal formation of human bones (this includes the bones of the foot) is rickets. The bones of the foot become fragile and fragile, muscles and ligaments weaken, as a result of which they are not able to withstand the load of the body.Because of this, the foot is deformed and flat feet are formed.

If we talk about static flat feet, then it belongs to the most common. All cases exceed 80%. The presence of weakness in the muscles of the feet and legs, weakening of the bones and ligamentous apparatus are provoking factors in the occurrence of this form of the disease. As a result, with excess body weight, standing work and lack of necessary physical activity, the foot can be deformed. Another unfavorable condition is uncomfortable and poorly made shoes, high heels, narrow toes.

What is the degree of flat feet

Flat feet have some severity. The early stage is characterized by the development of ligamentous apparatus dysfunction. At this stage, there is no deformation of the foot, but there is a sprain of the ligaments. As a result of this, a person has painful sensations. They appear after a long walk or in the evening when the working day is over. In most cases, proper rest will help relieve soreness.

The next stage is the presence of poorly expressed flat feet or the first stage. During such a period, a person notices that fatigue appears in the legs, especially after physical exertion. In addition, the plasticity of the gait decreases, the legs swell. When pressing on the foot, a person experiences painful sensations.

With combined flat feet or the second stage, flattening of the feet occurs. The arch of the foot disappears, it takes on a flat appearance.In addition, the soreness becomes stronger, the attacks often torment the person. In most cases, painful sensations can spread to the knee joints, as a result, it will be difficult for a person to walk.

Pronounced flat feet, or stage 3, a person is forced to turn to specialized specialists. During this period, there are severe pains in the foot and lower leg, swelling of the legs, headache and lower back. With the onset of this stage of the disease, there is no opportunity to play sports, and also, there is a decrease in working capacity.To get around, a person uses orthopedic shoes, not ordinary ones.

The progression of flat feet is distinguished by its rapidity, as a result of which the fingers are deformed and bent, calluses are formed, etc.

How does the disease manifest

To prevent severe deformity of the foot, it is necessary to pay attention to warning signs. These include the presence of worn-out casual shoes on the inside. A person needs to check some old shoes.If the inner edge of the sole is worn, you should seek the advice of an orthopedic surgeon. In addition, if a person quickly gets tired while walking, his legs get tired and hurt, cramps appear, this is a sign of flat feet. During flat feet, not only the foot swells, but also the ankle. A woman has difficulty or cannot use heels at all. Since the foot is lengthened, it is not possible to use old shoes. A person needs to purchase shoes a size or two larger.Also, the lower back, knees, hips, head begins to hurt. Such a person can be identified by an irregular and unnatural gait and posture. In some cases, an ingrown nail appears due to flat feet.

It should be noted that the presence of such symptoms is inherent not only in flat feet. Such signs are present with varicose veins. This means that if a person has discovered the presence of any of the above symptoms, it is imperative to go to the clinic for a full examination.To diagnose flat feet, an X-ray examination of the foot and a physical examination by an orthopedic surgeon are performed.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent the development of flat feet in a child, it is necessary to regularly visit a doctor. An experienced and qualified specialist is able to notice if the child does not develop correctly. An adult is advised to self-control their legs. It is necessary to dose the load on them, as well as adhere to a healthy lifestyle, control body weight, wear comfortable shoes.It should not pinch the leg, it should be stable and free. In such shoes, the heel should not exceed three centimeters, and the heel should be high and firm.

Another main condition is the use of remedial gymnastics. After determining the degree of flat feet, special exercises are selected that can be performed at home. Also, you can visit special centers that deal with these problems. By practicing for about 25 minutes daily, a person will see good results.

After a person has been diagnosed with flat feet, he can go to the clinic for the manufacture of individual orthopedic insoles. Thanks to these insoles, the foot will be in the correct position. In addition, the arch of the foot will be supported, the load will be distributed correctly. Also, a person will notice that the legs become less tired, the intensity of painful sensations has decreased, and the disease has ceased to develop.

Swimming is another preventive method.Regular visits to the pool contribute to the development of rational foot movement. It is necessary to highlight the crawl style.

causes, types, clinic, complications, treatment, prevention “

On August 10, 2016 at the OJSC “Clinical and Diagnostic Center” Euromedservice “a Medical conference was held on the topic:” Flat feet: causes, types, clinic, complications, treatment, prevention “

Speaker: traumatologist-orthopedist Kuzmina Yu.O.

Summary of the report: the foot is built by bone structures connected by ligaments, joints, muscles. The largest bone in the foot is the heel bone. The foot rests on three points of support: the calcaneal tubercle, the tip of the 1st and the outer surface of the V metatarsal bones. There are longitudinal vaults – cargo (along the outer edge of the foot) and spring (along the inner edge of the foot, we do not rely on it) and transverse vaults. Thus, the foot has two main functions: support and spring (shock-absorbing).

Longitudinal flat feet – lowering of the longitudinal spring arch, transverse – lowering the transverse arch. The causes of flat feet are varied, but the main ones are hereditary predisposition, increased elasticity of tendons and ligaments, weakness of small muscles supporting the arches, prolonged work standing, walking in high heels and in narrow shoes. Decreased arches of the foot, its flattening weaken the spring function of the joints of the legs and spine when walking and contribute to poor posture, overloading of the joints, the development of arthrosis of the joints of the legs (ankle, knee, hip), scoliosis and osteochondrosis.Flat feet changes gait, causes the development of fatigue and pain in the small joints and muscles of the foot, the muscles of the lower leg even with minor external loads due to deterioration of blood circulation and lymph drainage. Longitudinal flat feet occurs most often at the age of 15 – 25 years, transverse – at 35 – 50 years.
Deviation of the first toe to the side – hallux valgus – the most common complication of flat feet. In fact, this is a subluxation (dislocation) in the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint.Bone growth may also occur – osteophyte (“bump”, “gout”, “bone”). In this area, there is painful inflammation of the soft tissues, with reddening of the “bump”.

The deformed thumb begins to “displace” the rest of the fingers from their normal position – up and slightly to the side. This is how hammer-like deformation of II and III occurs, and in severe cases – of other fingers (fingers in the form of hammers).

The unusual position of all fingers causes even greater discomfort when wearing shoes, the development of painful corns, hyperkeratosis (“callous”) of the skin.Self-removal of corns, unfortunately, often leads to even more painful sensations. In this case, you need the help of a professional.

Often, when a deformed first toe is squeezed by elements of improperly fitted shoes (made of hard materials, with a very narrowed nose), a problem such as an ingrown toenail arises. Correction of an ingrown toenail is carried out by a doctor during a medical pedicure procedure. If the correction is not carried out in time, the ingrown nail can injure the surrounding soft tissues up to their purulent inflammation, and then surgical treatment is required – removal of part or even the entire nail plate.

Treatment of foot deformities: For a timely and complete diagnosis of the condition of the feet, you should consult an orthopedic traumatologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, stress tests, and in most cases will offer X-ray diagnostics. In modern orthopedics, a rational way to treat this pathology is a combination of corrective operations on the forefoot, followed by the use of orthopedic products in everyday life to correct changes (insoles, instep supports, interdigital inserts).
To relieve inflammation, the doctor usually prescribes physiotherapy, topical application of anti-inflammatory gels, wearing bursoprotectors (soft tissue or gel pads that “envelop” the inflamed joint).
However, if the patient suffers from flat feet and does not have deformities of the toes, conservative correction is indicated – the correct selection of orthopedic insoles and the wearing of rational shoes. Only an experienced specialist can choose the right option for insoles, taking into account what kind of shoes you wear and what kind of physical activity you have, as well as correct flat feet with the insole.Most often, before making individual insoles, you will be offered a special and simple examination – plantography or plantoscopy. This is a study of the footprint in order to understand which arch of the foot and how much needs to be adjusted so that the load on the foot is optimal. In more complex cases, computer diagnostics of the foot is required.

In order for the foot to have sufficient support, the shoe must first of all have a good sole. The height of the heel and the width of the forefoot are important for the support of the foot.When the heel height is more than 7 cm, there is practically no support on the heel bone. All the load is transferred to the forefoot. At the same time, most model shoes with heels have a narrow forefoot. Thus, the fingers receive a tremendous amount of stress. The toes cannot be in such an overload mode for a long time, therefore, when wearing shoes with high heels and with a narrow front part for a long time, the toes begin to deform, painful corns appear under the metatarsal bones. Also, the height of the heel plays a decisive role in ensuring the spring function of the foot.When the heel bone is “turned off” from the support, the fingers cannot absorb the entire load that we receive when walking. The overlying sections take on the shock-absorbing function: the ankle, knee and hip joints, the spine. However, the complete absence of a heel or other sole elevation in the heel area (for example, a wedge heel) can have adverse consequences. When walking or running fast, the heel bone begins to experience the main load. The heel has no time to cushion the blows. The joints of the legs and the spine become congested again.The optimal balance of the load on the foot is achieved at a heel height of about 4 cm. Thus, rational shoes are shoes made of natural material, with a dense relief sole, with a non-narrowed forepart, a heel of 3 – 5 cm.Provide an even load on the foot, help the foot to cushion blows can orthopedic insoles.

Recommendations:

• Try to alternate the periods of wearing high-heeled shoes and rational shoes.
• In the evening, it is useful to make warm foot baths for 20 – 30 minutes with sea salt, with extracts of horse chestnut, chamomile, sage.The temperature of such baths should be 37 – 40 ° C.
• It is necessary to do gymnastics for the feet, a light relaxing foot massage with products containing extracts of chamomile, calendula, as well as menthol, camphor.
• Pedicure should be done regularly. Improperly treated nails and corns can cause inflammatory and fungal diseases of the feet.
• It is necessary to timely and correctly choose orthopedic insoles for permanent wearing in order to prevent the appearance of deformations and correct existing problems of the feet.

Easy gait for you!

Flat feet: types of causes, diagnosis, consequences

Flat feet is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which the arches of the foot are reduced. With this disease, the biomechanics of walking is disturbed and a number of complaints arise from the ankle, knee, hip joints and even the spine.

More than 50% of the world’s population suffer from flat feet, and according to some data, up to 70-80%.In women, it occurs 4 times more often in men. By the age of 11, when the foot practically completes its formation, flat feet to one degree or another are diagnosed in half of the adolescents.

Each foot consists of 26 bones, 109 ligaments, 33 joints, and 19 muscles. All these structures together form the most “perfect shock absorber” created by nature. When walking, our feet protect the overlying sections from mechanical shock, extinguishing the shock load that occurs. If the shock absorber breaks down, the large joints of the legs try to perform this function, but they are poorly adapted to this function.Therefore, a violation of the arched structure of the foot leads to its flattening, a violation of the spring function, the inevitable occurrence of complaints, and all this lies behind the diagnosis – flat feet.

Of the reasons affecting the appearance of flat feet, one can single out:
Internal reasons are associated with congenital features of the development of the human musculoskeletal system. People with congenital connective tissue weakness (congenital connective tissue dysplasia) are prone to flat feet.The connective tissue is included in the structure of the ligaments that connect the bones of the foot. If there is dysplasia, the connective tissue is more elastic. It stretches and cannot withstand stress. This also includes all causes of muscle weakness.

External causes that affect the condition of the muscles and ligaments of the foot and, accordingly, the development of flat feet is:

• Prolonged stay on legs, professions associated with prolonged walking or the need to stay on legs for a long time.
• Heavy physical activity.
• Overweight, weight gain during pregnancy.
• Shoes, one of the most common reasons that most people do not attach due importance to. The heel in the shoe should be present, but not more than 4 cm. For this reason, women suffer from flat feet more often, as they prefer to wear high-heeled shoes, which greatly changes the normal functioning of the foot and leads to overloading of the forefoot.The higher the heel, the more the center of gravity shifts forward. The result is transverse flat feet!
• Another common cause is a foot injury with a fracture of the foot bones. Or, corny, after an injury, a person is forced to walk with support on one leg for a long time. One foot is forced to carry a significant load. During this time, compensatory possibilities are exhausted. Even some time after the injury, when the person has returned to normal life, pain occurs in the previously overloaded foot.

The manifestations of flat feet are very diverse. Complaints can arise both against the background of flat feet proper, and hide behind other symptoms. Flat feet can aggravate the course of many diseases. Even increased pain in the lumbar spine may be associated with foot pathology.

• The first thing people pay attention to is fatigue and even pain in the lower legs and upper part of the foot after prolonged exertion.These painful sensations usually go away after rest.
• People then pay attention to the change in the size of the foot. It gets longer and wider. Now the shoes are bought one size larger.
• Shoes do not wear down evenly, mainly from the inside.
• Edema of the distal parts of the lower extremities (feet and ankles) appears.
• Pain in the heel in the morning, on getting out of bed.
• Over time, hallux valgus appears and begins to progress.This condition is also known as “bone”.

Diagnosis of flat feet begins with examination and collection of an anamnesis of the patient. During the examination, attention is paid to the color of the skin, the presence of callosity, visual deformations, the presence of the arch of the foot under load and without, as well as the nature, wear and quality of the shoe.

In addition, such methods as come to the aid in clarifying the diagnosis of flat feet:

• Plantography – Obtaining a footprint on a plane.Plantography provides indicative data on the condition of the arches of the foot. In case of suspicion of flat feet, the examination should not stop only at this diagnostic method.

• Podometry – measurement of external parameters of the feet.

• Podography is a method for studying the biomechanics of walking and temporal parameters of movement. For this, special diagnostic complexes are used.Using the method, the gait is analyzed, the phases of roll over the heel are studied, and the coefficient of gait rhythm is calculated.
• To assess the condition of the muscles of the legs and feet, you can use electromyography . The condition of the muscles of the foot and lower leg directly indicates the severity of flat feet.
• X-ray examination of the foot . To date, this diagnostic procedure is given almost a leading role in the diagnosis of foot pathology.X-ray examination allows you to assess the nature of disorders in the foot, determine the degree of flat feet, observe the dynamics of the progression of the disease and evaluate the results of treatment. The examination is performed in a static load position, anteroposterior and lateral projection.

However, given the radiation exposure, it is not always necessary to perform an X-ray of the feet, especially in children. Today, there are excellent hardware and software systems that allow you to evaluate all the same parameters as in the X-ray examination of the foot.X-rays of the feet are absolutely essential for people preparing for surgery.

Treatment of flat feet is an extremely difficult task !!! The key to success for achieving a positive result is:

• Timely start of treatment. The more severe the flat feet, the more pronounced the anatomical changes in the feet, which can no longer be corrected conservatively.
• Active participation of the patient himself. A person is required to comply with certain rules and regimes that no one will follow in his place.If there is no understanding of this, there will be no effect of the treatment.
• An integrated approach. It is necessary to use or combine several techniques at the same time.
• All these recommendations and prescribed procedures repeat regularly !

It is important to understand that the treatment is long, years and decades.
conservative methods include:

• Pain management.For these purposes, the entire arsenal of physiotherapeutic methods is used.
• Strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the foot. Regular exercise trains the calf muscles and small muscles of the foot, which are involved in maintaining the correct shape of the foot.
• Selection of comfortable shoes. Shoes should not have high heels and very narrow toes. A flexible sole should also be present.
• Orthopedic insoles.

The ineffectiveness of conservative treatment methods and severe symptoms and deformity of the feet are indications for surgical treatment.To date, more than 500 methods of foot operations have been proposed. Basically, they can be divided into: operations on soft tissues, operations on bones and combined operations. Carefully planned and performed surgery significantly reduces the risk of recurrence, however, worldwide, the percentage of failed surgeries remains quite high.