Upstep Answers
Our team answers your questions about the causes and treatment of various podiatric conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, foot pain, and the use of custom orthotics.
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How to Relieve Flat Feet and Fallen Arches Pain
A person has flat feet when their foot arch is depressed. Consequently, almost the entire sole is in continuous contact with the ground. It is a common condition and can occur in one or both feet. This article looks briefly at the symptoms and causes of flat feet and then discusses a few remedies. Causes of Flat Feet or Fallen Arches Flat feet can be caused by numerous different factors, such as: GeneticsImproper development (as in cerebral palsy and Down's Syndrome)Diseases (Muscular dystrophy, Diabetes, Marfan Syndrome)Injury Trauma Symptoms of Flat Feet Flat feet may cause no symptoms. However, should it become symptomatic, common symptoms include: Pain inside the arch, heel, ankle, and on the outside of the foot below the ankleAssociated pain in the shin, knee, hip, and lower backSwelling and tenderness around the ankle Treatments for Flat Feet Pain It is important to identify flat feet early in order to have any hope of correcting the condition. Otherwise, it can lead to complications. Treatment options for flat feet include using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), exercises, orthotics, and even surgery in extreme cases. Exercises Two of the most helpful exercises are: Tennis/Golf ball rolls While sitting straight in a chair with a tennis or golf ball under the affected feet, roll the ball under your foot, focusing on the arch. Continue for 2–3 minutes and then repeat on the opposite foot. Calf raises While standing, attempt to stand on your toes, holding a chair for support. Hold the upper position for up to 5 seconds before lowering your heel back. Do 2–3 sets of 15–20 repetitions. Orthotics Custom orthotics provide support for the feet. Upstep orthotics are custom-designed to maintain the arch and alignment of the foot in order to relieve ankle, foot, leg, and back pain from flat feet and prevent further deformities. Surgery When conservative management fails, surgical intervention is indicated. Surgery aims to create an arch in the feet by repairing the Achilles tendon and fusing the bones. Relieving Pain of Flat Feet Ultimately, once you can relieve the pain of flat feet, you can easily use orthotics to maintain the regular shape of the foot. So, ensure that immediate attention is given to relieving pain as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms.
Asked a month ago
Secondary Conditions Resulting From Flat Feet
Flat feet is a common foot deformity in which the foot arch flattens out, leaving all parts of the foot in contact with the ground. While some are born with it, others acquire it in adulthood as a result of damage to the posterior tibial tendon. Flat feet is generally painless until complications begin to set in. Since the soft tissue on the inner part of the foot is subject to repeated loading, it swells, causing a change in the foot alignment. The distortion in foot alignment affects the walking mechanics. Consequently, it affects the kinetic chain and places undue strain on the musculoskeletal system, and can lead to several other conditions. Secondary Conditions Caused By Flat Feet Flat feet are diagnosed by assessing symptoms and evaluating the position of your arches in sitting, standing, and walking. If not managed promptly, secondary conditions that can result include the following: Corns and calluses While there is still weight-bearing with flat feet, it occurs abnormally. This can cause the foot to develop painful corns and calluses in the areas that bear the most weight. Toe Deformities The toes also bear part of the extra stress placed upon the foot. The undue pressure on the foot causes deformities like bunions. Plantar fasciitis Flat feet place undue stress on the plantar fascia causing it to bear more load off the foot and leading to a painful inflammation. Arthritis of the ankle and foot joints Pain in the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back Shin splints While some people experience flat feet without symptoms, it's not worth the risk. If you notice any sign that you have a flat foot, you must immediately seek medical attention in order to avoid complications. » Discover the best insoles for flat feet
Asked a month ago
Can Flat Feet Be Corrected and Cured in Adults?
Flat feet are characterized by fallen arches, leading to most of the inner foot making contact with the ground when bearing weight. Flat feet lead to an inward-turning (overpronation) of the ankles and lower leg, which may lead to pain in the foot itself, as well as the ankle and knee. Can Flat Feet Be Corrected Naturally? Conservative remedies won't cure flat feet but may help reduce symptoms. Different Types of Flat Feet There are two types of flat feet. The first is Flexible Flat Feet (FFF), often seen in childhood due to weakened muscles and lax ligaments of the foot. When lying down, the foot has an arch, but it disappears under weight. The second is Rigid Flat Feet (RFF) which are characterized by feet that don’t change shape when weight is applied or removed. The foot is stiff and has little range of motion. Best Ways to Treat Flat Feet Flat feet can be managed well with support from orthotics and through other remedies such as exercise. The arch support from orthotics will give the foot a base to prevent overpronation from occurring. Orthotics for flat feet aid in distributing the weight correctly through the foot. The muscles of the arch can be strengthened using exercise, which will further improve and support the arch. Calf muscle stretching has also been proven to reduce pain levels. How to Fix Flat Feet Surgical intervention in flat feet is considered when conservative management hasn’t improved the patient’s symptoms. A tendon transfer, fusion, or osteotomy can be considered by your Podiatrist to aid you in your condition, based on assessment and imaging studies. Surgery for flat feet has shown an extremely high rate of success of around 95%. Infection, nerve or blood vessel damage, and a failure of the bones or wounds to heal completely are all risks involved with surgical intervention.
Asked a month ago
How to Tell Whether You Have Sesamoiditis or Gout
If you are experiencing pain and swelling around your big toe or the ball of your foot, you might wonder: Is it gout or sesamoiditis? Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of the tendons in the ball of the foot. Sesamoiditis is rare and, when it happens, it is caused by frequent pressure resulting in irritation of the area around the inflamed tendon. When it occurs, the big toe is most commonly affected. Symptoms of Sesamoiditis Like many other inflammatory conditions, the primary symptoms of sesamoiditis are: Pain under the big toeReduced joint mobilitySwellingRednessDifficulty walking » Alleviate your discomfort with the best sesamoiditis orthotics Symptoms of Gout Gout has a similar presentation to sesamoiditis. Symptoms generally include: Localized, intense pain (often at night)RednessTendernessSwelling around the joint Additionally, because gout presents with systemic effects, other symptoms like hypersensitivity, chills, tachycardia, malaise, and fever may also be present. Sesamoiditis vs. Gout: How to Tell the Difference There are a few differences between the symptoms and manifestations of gout and sesamoiditis, such as: Cause Sesamoiditis is caused by frequent pressure due to overuse, while gout occurs due to a buildup of uric acid. Diagnostic tests The diagnosis of sesamoiditis is based on the symptoms. Diagnosis of gout is done by aspiration and analysis of the joint fluid due to the build-up of uric deposits in the body. The onset of pain In most cases, pain due to gout suddenly flares up while sesamoiditis pain is usually gradual. The goal of management The primary goal in the management of sesamoiditis is to relieve pain and swelling. On the other hand, the initial goal in the management of gout is to terminate acute attacks, prevent a recurrence, as well as correct and prevent further damage from hyperuricemia. Can Gout Cause Sesamoiditis? Yes, it can. In that case, it can easily be misdiagnosed. As such, you should always be wary of the risk of self-diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will ask how the pain started and then examine the foot.
Asked a month ago
What Is the Best Type of Arch Support for Flat Feet?
There are 2 different kinds of flat feet (also called fallen arches and related to overpronation): Flexible flat feet (FFF) appear to have arches when an individual is sitting or on their tiptoes, while their arches depress when they put weight on them in a standing position.Rigid flat feet (RFF) have the same depressed arches regardless of foot position. In many cases, flexible flat feet don't require treatment as they don't cause pain or discomfort. Many children have FFF and only develop arches at about 7 years of age. However, if you have RFF or symptomatic FFF, then artificial arch supports are recommended. » Need arch support when hiking? Check out the best insoles for hiking boots Different Arch Types for Flat Feet High Arch Insoles Overpronation is a condition in which the ankle rolls too far inward and depresses the arch, putting excess pressure on the big toe, ball of the foot, inside of the heel, and sometimes the plantar fascia and other tendons. It is typically rather painful, and so high arch supports are required to change the positioning of the foot to redistribute the pressure. Medium Arch Insoles If you don't have severe overpronation and your flat feet aren't causing severe pain and discomfort, then you might find some relief in some less prominent medium arch supports. They will still support your arch and redistribute pressure but are not as dramatic as high arch supports. Which Arch Supports Should You Get? This question depends largely on the severity of your condition and its symptoms. You may not need high arch insoles, as medium arch insoles can give you some extra support for mild pain and discomfort. Still, only a podiatrist will be able to give you an accurate recommendation on the correct arch supports for your specific criteria.
Asked a month ago
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