Do I need new orthotics for mid-arch pain due to flat feet?
I am 20 years old and have mid-arch pain on my instep. I have very flat feet and this only started recently with my new custom orthotics. Should I go back and get some new ones made? Depending on your flat foot flexibility, you may not need orthotics at all and often custom orthotics can increase the pain in a rigid flat foot deformity. You might try no orthotics at all with some good calf stretches to see if this lessens your instep pain.Reference: Maryse Bouchard, MD and Vincent S. Mosca, M...
Is there something that can be done for a child with flat feet?
My son is 7 and has very flat feet. I am concerned that this will cause him problems in the future. Is there anything that we should be doing now for him? If your son has a flexible flatfoot then there is typically nothing to worry about. A kid with flexible flatfoot will have an arch in sitting that will disappear with weight bearing whereas a rigid flat foot will not present with an arch at all. A rigid flatfoot is more likely to cause problems in the future, however not necessarily. It i...
Is the pain and tingling on the inside of my foot plantar fasciitis?
I am told that I have plantar fasciitis but nothing I am doing is helping. My pain is on the inside of my foot, near my arch and is tingling and numb at times. Is this really plantar fasciitis?
What can a Physical Therapist do for plantar fasciitis?
Q: I have had plantar fasciitis for six months now and have worn the night splints and a walking boot and had custom orthotics made but still have it. My doctor wants me to see a physical therapist. What can they do for me and is this necessary?
Does wearing high heels cause toes to be painful and crossed under?
My mom has several toes that are painful and crossed under. She says that I should not wear high heels because that is what caused her problem. Is this true or am I just doomed to have my mom’s feet when I get older? High heels are identified as a major cause for toes crossing or becoming stuck in a bent position, called hammer toe. Shoes with a narrow toe box or shoes that place an excessive amount of force across the base of your toes can cause hyperextension of the toe joints (bending...
Is there anything I can do to straighten my toe out?
I am no longer able to straighten my second toe. It does not hurt but I don’t like the way it looks when I wear flip-flops. Is there anything I can do to straighten it out? A bent toe is typically due to ligamentous instability surrounding the toe joint. Depending on the progression of the deformity (whether or not it is rigid or still flexible) there are several options. Conservative treatment would be shoe alterations and physical therapy for foot strengthening and addressing your wa...
Does everyone lose the ability to pick up their feet as they get older?
I work in an assisted living facility as a lunch server. I notice how many of the seniors (even the younger ones) seem to shuffle in and out of the cafeteria. Why is that? Does everyone lose the ability to pick up their feet as they get older? I don't want this to happen to me! When we see someone shuffling along without picking up their feet, it's easy to just attribute it to "old age" or being "out of condition." But if you've noticed this and wondered about it, it's likely you may have also w...