Common Foot Conditions
The following list contains some of the more common foot ailments. Click on a condition to see an overview, including its symptoms and treatment.
Overpronation
Overpronation is a condition where the arch of the foot flattens excessively as it makes contact with the ground, placing stress and pressure on tissues and ligaments of the foot.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include: plantar fasciitis (see below), ankle pain, shin pain, achilles tendonitis, knee pain, bunions, Morton’s neuroma, chondromalcia patellae, and lower back pain.
Treatment
Treatment with Kenny foot orthotics will help provide the required arch support to effectively reduce excessive
pronation, and restore the foot and its posture to the right biomechanical position. By effectively realigning
the hindfoot and cupping the fat pad of the heel, orthotics will relieve pain and prevent further
(medial longitudinal) arch distortion. Due to the moderate control and shock absorption provided by
semi-rigid materials, orthotics are well-tolerated by the pronating foot.
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Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory condition causing chronic heel pain. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot (see diagram above) becomes overloaded, leading to excess traction and inflammation. When the foot is rested the fascia tightens due to the inflammation. When the foot resumes weight bearing, however, the band is stretched and produces a stabbing pain that then eases. This repeated pulling on the heel bone can often lead to the formation of a heel spur, which is the calcification of a pointy piece of bone, detectable on X-rays. The bony spur itself rarely causes pain, but the inflammation of the surrounding plantar fascia does.
Symptoms
Nearly all causes of heel pain are directly or indirectly linked to the condition of plantar fasciitis, also commonly known as ‘heel spur’. The heel pain is often characterized by intense pain upon initial weight-bearing in the morning, which then eases over a few minutes. This pattern may be repeated during the day following short periods of rest, or may return when you stand towards the end of the day. Chronic heel pain causes a considerable degree of discomfort and suffering.
Treatment
One of the most effective treatments for this condition is to address the abnormal foot mechanics that contribute
to overloading the plantar fascia. Orthotics are designed to control excess and abnormal foot pronation. In addition,
the orthotic material greatly assists in shock absorption, there by redistributing forces on the heel bone.
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Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a general name given to pain in the front part of the foot, under the region of one or more of the heads of the metatarsal bones, the area on the sole (or ball) of the foot, just before the toes. Metatarsalgia can be caused by a number of different foot conditions, and is generally symptomatic of another problem, rather than a specific condition in itself.
Symptoms
Metatarsalgia causes pain in the ball of the foot, often made worse by walking or running. Some people describe the pain as 'walking on pebbles', others describe it as more of a general aching pain. The pain can occur in one or both feet. In some people the pain is felt under one or two metatarsal heads, in others it is felt under all of them.
Treatment
Metatarsalgia is a condition common in people with depressed transverse arches. The weight bearing forces transferred through the metatarsal heads are no longer dissipated efficiently and walking can become difficult. Kenny Orthotics can custom design and craft foot orthotics that redistribute pressure away from the metatarsal heads, while at the same time realigning the transverse arches. This is done by building medial longitudinal arch supports, and metatarsal domes. A soft relief can also be included for sensitive areas such as underneath the first metatarsal head.
Symptoms of foot conditions such as sesamoiditis, retracting digits and
Morton's Neuroma
can also be relieved using a similar technique, together with additional therapeutic treatment.
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The Diabetic and Osteoarthritic Foot
The joints of the arthritic foot are often stiff and painful, and usually there is a marked disintegration of the fat pads underneath the heels and transverse arches. The diabetic foot has diminished sensation and compromised circulation, which often result in areas that can develop skin lesions, if neglected.
Symptoms
Both arthritic and diabetic feet require foot orthotics that: reduce shock and sheer forces; correct flexible deformities and accommodate fixed ones; transfer forces to more tolerant weight- bearing areas; and provide comfort and protection.
Treatment
In addition to crafting custom shoe inserts to relieve pain and protect the diabetic and osteoarthritic foot,
Kenny Orthotics has a range of diabetic and arthritic footwear to compliment orthotic treatment. Shoe modifications,
including shoe raises and rocker soles, can also be manufactured.
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Children’s Feet
Most toddlers are flat-footed when they first start walking. The arches of children’s feet tend to be lower, as the heel bone is not yet fully developed; this is most noticeable on the inner side of the heel. As a result, young children often walk with a tendency for the heel to roll towards the inner side of the foot, a condition called overpronation. In young children, this is quite normal; however, by about 6-7 years of age, a child should develop heel-toe walking, and normal arches in both feet. Around this age, a normal arch will slightly flatten as a child stands. If this natural flattening movement, called 'pronation', is excessive, however, orthotics may be required to relieve the overpronation. Orthotic devices are useful in relieving painful symptoms, and preventing long term damage.
Symptoms
A child suffering from overpronation may develop an awkward gait pattern that leads to painful secondary symptoms — for example, knee pain — and a rapid onset of fatigue. These symptoms are sometimes described as "growing pains", but often indicate an instability of the foot. If the heel bone tends to lean towards the inside, symptoms can become increasingly painful and the foot is more likely to develop problems in the future.
Treatment
Early treatment of overpronation in a child is vital. If a child continues to walk on a foot of this nature,
the condition rapidly becomes irretrievable. Control of the foot needs to be achieved quickly and comfortably
with the use of a custom-made triplanar wedge. Restoring alignment in this way helps to maintain the
stability of the foot, and also controls the internal leg rotation associated with joint pronation,
thereby reducing other symptoms, such as associated knee pain (e.g. Osgood Schlatter’s disease).
Preventing the collapse of the medial arch, will reduce the strain on supportive ligaments and
other soft tissues, thereby allowing the patient to enjoy running and walking, whilst remaining symptom-free.
Treatment with orthotic devices are effective for these conditions, as they improve foot posture, relieve
painful symptoms, and prevent long-term damage.
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