Category Archives: Foot Problems

Foot Problems

Can you get arch Support in Ballet Flats?

Ballet flats really are a specific footwear style influenced from the shoes used by ballet. By design these footwear are really minimal. They do not much for the foot biomechanics other than protect the foot and come in a wide array of interesting styles. Furthermore they are likely to be rather snug fitting that can help the footwear remain on the foot. There is nothing inherently improper using these sorts of shoes so long as they are generally fitted appropriately and are also of the right size for the feet.

The challenge using these minimal kinds of footwear is if you have a foot condition that will need some type of arch support, even on a temporary basis. The main sorts of problems that this can be needed are especially should you be standing on your feet all day long and the legs and feet get very tired. Because of the minimal nature of the style along with the ordinarily tight fit of the footwear, there is not going to be a lot of space inside the footwear to try and do a lot. Clinically, alternatives or solutions can be limited when you spend the majority of your time in this type of footwear. There is simply no method in which a normal foot supports will probably go with these kinds of footwear. Sometimes a trimmed down foot support could possibly fit into the footwear. Other times the condition may be handled by changing to a different kind of footwear that foot orthotics can easily be utilized in for a period of time until the condition is fixed. It is usually better to see a podiatrist and discuss the options you have if you actually do require some type of support and if it may be accommodated in your ballet flats style of shoes.

There are a limited types of ballet flats that you can purchase that do already have arch support kind designs that are part of them. However, they are difficult to get and might not be appropriate for you. You can find the instant arches kinds of self adhesive padding that might be adhered in the footwear to give some sort of support which is often a beneficial compromise if that is just what is required to cope with the issue. Podiatry practitioners do use them every so often if you have no other more suitable alternatives which will get foot support in to a ballet flat model of footwear.

Biomechanics, Foot Problems

What is a Plantar Plate Tear

A plantar plate tear is a relatively common problem under the ball of the foot. The plantar plate is a strong thicker ligament below the metatarsaophalangeal joints in the ball of the foot. There can be a tear, strain or what often is described as a ‘dysfunction‘ of that ligament that causes pain under the joint and just distal t the joint. One weird sensation that often get describes is that of the feel of a sock bunched up under the toes, when its not.

A plantar plate problem is more common in those who are over weight, who are more active and have foot problems such as bunions.

The treatment of a plantar plate tear is to rest the area by holding the toe plantar flexed with strapping. A rocker sole shoe also stops the toe from bending so much and is often helpful. This “rest” of the strain on the ligament usually helps most cases. In the few that this does not help, then a surgical repair of the small tear is often indicated.

Biomechanics, Foot Problems

Dealing with Severs Disease

Sever’s disease, or more appropriately called calcaneal apophysitis is an overuse problem with the growth plate at the back of the heel bone in children. It is more common around the ages of 10-12 years and always goes away by the mid-teenage years when growth of the heel bone stops and the cartilage growth plate merges with the rest of the heel bone.

The pain is typically at the back of the heel bone and at the sides, especially on squeezing the heel bone and especially after sports activity. It is more common in those who are more active. On occasion the pain from Severs disease can be so bad as to make the child cry, but there is very little or no swelling visible.

Severs disease is best managed with reducing activity and managing expectations. The child will grow out of it, but as it painful it still needs o be treated. The reduction in activity needs o be negotiated with the child as they will be reluctant. ICE can be used after activity to help with the pain. A cushioned heel raise is often used to protect the area.

Biomechanics, Foot Problems, Sports Medicine

Cuboid Syndrome

The cuboid is a smaller cube shaped bone on the lateral side of the foot around about the center of the foot. The bone is a little bigger than a common gaming dice. The bone participates in three joints and operates as a lever for the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle to pass under. Since this is a strong muscle it can move the cuboid bone too much if it is not secure and strain those joints that the bone is a part of resulting in a ailment known as cuboid syndrome. This is probably one of the more common causes of pain on the outside of the foot, generally in athletes. The pain commonly begins quite mild and is located around where the cuboid bone is on the outside of the foot. The pain is only at first present during activity. If the exercise levels are not lessened the problem will most likely progress and then show up after exercise in addition to during. From time to time the pain can radiate down into the foot. Although this is the commonest reason for pain in this area, there are others like tendinopathy and nerve impingements.

The main management of cuboid syndrome is relief of pain. This is normally done with a reduction in exercise levels and the using of low dye strapping to immobilise and support the cuboid. Mobilisation and manipulation is frequently used to fix this condition. Over the longer term foot orthoses may be required to control the movement and support the lateral arch of the foot. This helps make the cuboid more stable so it is an efficient lever or pulley for the tendon to function around. Generally this approach works in most cases. If it doesn’t there are no surgical or more advanced treatments and a further reduction in activity amounts is usually the only option.