Are you aware that back, ankle, hip, and knee pains may be originating from your feet? Feet provide support for your entire body and the poor posture generated by the effects of foot issues can result in a lifetime of discomfort. Overpronation occurs when your ankles are no longer in balance. Pronation is not always a bad thing. Your foot needs to pronate to walk but too much pronation is problematic. When the foot pronates too much there will be an inward rotation of the legs, a forward rotation of the hips and upper body, and the head will rotate and move forward. You may notice that your feet roll in or the inside of your knee hurts. You may also experience low back pain. Sometimes one foot is more pronated and the arch may look flatter than the other foot. This is because one leg is longer, one hip may be tighter, or there is a tendon imbalance. As the condition progresses the deformity may advance from flexible to rigid. The more rigid or fixed the pronation is the harder it is to manage. Excessive pronation, whether in its beginning, intermediate, or advanced stage, should be identified and addressed by a podiatrist.
Did you know that poor posture can cause your organs to become compressed and inhibit their functions? Overpronation (inward leaning feet) and over supination (outward leaning feet) are usually caused by foot deformities such as fallen arches and the failure of certain muscles in the foot and ankle. The Achilles tendon can become tight over time cause the foot to pronate because the ankle does not bend properly. The posterior tibial tendon that attaches to the foot in the arch can get stretched causing the arch to flatten. Ill-fitting shoes or going barefoot for a long period can speed up the process. Abnormal pronation can be treated with a combination of proper fitting and supportive shoes, taping, custom-made orthotics, stretching and foot exercises to strengthen muscles.
If you or someone you know has pain in their feet or ankles Dr. Michele Kurlanski is here to help. We can evaluate your feet and make recommendations on proper stretching, what shoes to wear. Call us today at (207) 774-0028 to schedule your next appointment at our location in Scarborough, Maine!
