Arches of the FootInsoles as Treatment

March 23, 2015

Low Arch (Flat Foot)

What is a Low Arch? When the arch of the foot makes almost complete contact with the ground.

Who has it?20-30% of the population have this. It occurs more common in women than in men, due to body structure.

Sudden weight gain, like that associated with pregnancy is also a risk factor. So pregnant women should be more careful and aware.

What happens when you have a low arch? Low arches are too flexible, they tend to roll in and over-pronate.

Low, or flat arches are biomechanically imbalanced and cause terrible damage to body alignment.

This leads to: Ankle Pain, Heel Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Hammer Toes, Tendonitis, and Bunions

Flat Foot in over-pronated position

Source http://www.foot.com/site/arch-typeshttp://www.hughston.com/hha/a_17_2_4.htmhttp://www.scpod.org/foot-health/common-foot-problems/

Activity and Low Arch (Flat Foot)

How does Low Arch effect activity? The body struggles to maintain balance and this can cause pain all the way up the leg to the hip and lower back

People with weight problems are more likely to have Flat feet and over-pronation because they are generally less active. They have trouble with any prolonged activity.

StandingProlonged standing in the wrong position caused by flat feet often leads to pain in the arches, heels, and knees.

WalkingWithout proper arch support, flat footers experience knee pain, and often ankle swelling from walking for excersize.

RunningFlat feet cause irregular gait that can result in Achilles pain, shin pain, heel pain, calf pain, hamstring strain, quadriceps strain, knee pain and lower back pain.

Old Age and Low Arch (Flat Foot)

How does Low Arch change with Age? For the most part, Flat Feet are not painful. However, as it progresses, those at middle to older age complain of pain that becomes more severe over time.

In older adults, the foot complaints encountered most often are:Heel pain.  This is the most common problem for anyone with flat feet. As the arch of the foot flattens out tissues in the bottom of the heel stretch and strain causing pain with each step.Bunions  When an unusual foot shape puts stress on the toes then Bunions. This is a condition where the big toe leans toward the second toe. Bunions can create pain, soreness, redness and inflammation in the foot.Calluses and corns.  Dead, yellowish, thickened skin on toes.Hammertoes  Toe joints that curl up or underFoot problems associated with deformities  These may be caused by arthritis plantar fasciitis an inflamed ligament along the bottom of the footAchilles tendonitis inflammation of the tendon that connects your heel bone to your calf muscle

Insoles for Low Arch (Flat Foot)

Insoles as a treatment for flat feetOrthotics can be helpful for treatment of Flat Feet, but must always be prescribed.

What insoles help flat feet?Arch Support insoles with firm, rigid material supporting the arch are most effective for the pain and symptoms of Flat Feet.

What common mistakes do people make when selecting insoles for Flat Feet?• Choosing insoles with incorrect sizing• Going for material that is too firm and not shock absorbing• Choosing material that does not compress properly

Medium Arch (Normal)

What is a Medium Arch? When the arch is at an average height.

Who has it?60% of the population have this.

What happens when you have a medium arch? Medium arches are biomechanically efficient but can still be susceptible to ball of foot pain and heel pain.

What insoles do medium arch people get?• Extra Cushioning

Sources: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00173http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/foot-pain/print.htmlhttp://healingfeet.com/foot-pain/common-arch-problemshttp://www.advancedfootankle.com/arch-types.html

Activity and Medium Arch (Normal)

How does Medium Arch effect activity? People with medium arch are likely to have a neutral stride, although sometimes even medium arches can have their negative effects.

StandingStanding and walking can be more tiring for the Medium Arch. Medium Arches have less cushioning and when standing are more likely to overpronate and have the same physical problems as flat feet

WalkingMedium arches are not lacking in arch support but they do often need proper support to correct alignment in normal walking. Muscle tension in the arch often causes the medium arch to be tired in regular activity

RunningRunning with the medium arch can lead to arch, heel, and knee pain due to lack of cushioning. Medium arches have a high incidence of running related injury, like ankle sprains

Old Age and Medium Arch (Normal)

How does Medium Arch change with Age? As Medium Arches go through the natural aging process they lose cushioning, flexibility, and muscle elasticity.

The Medium arch is also more prone to descending and forming the Adult Acquired Flat Foot

Pain as a result of Flat Feet acquired with Age• Pain along the inside of the foot and ankle• Pain that is worse with activity• When the foot collapses, pressure and pain can be found on

the outside of the ankle• Patients with an old injury, or arthritis in the middle of the

foot can develop painful bumps on the outside of the foot• Diabetic Foot Problems

The big toe can be seen from the back of this patient's foot. In a normal foot, only the fourth and fifth toes should be visible

Insoles for Medium Arch (Normal)

Insoles as a treatment for Medium Arch PainMedium Arches generally lack the cushioning and support to make activity pain free

What insoles help Medium Arches?Medium Arches need insoles that require cushioning and shock absorption, while also having firm material to prevent supination

What common mistakes do people make when selecting insoles for Medium Arches?• Choosing material that is too bulky, Medium Arched patients generally prefer very

minimal material• Choosing insoles that neglect a rigid edge to prevent supination

High Arch

What is a High Arch? Very little of the arch is on the ground, the pressure of weight-bearing is on the ball of foot and heel.

High Arches are usually classified as supinated and are much more rigid than other feet.

Who has it?20% of the population have this.

What happens when you have a high arch? High arches are rigid and have more ball of foot pain, heel pain, and plantar fasciitis.

What insoles do medium arch people get?• Shock Absorption• Extra Cushioning

Activity and High Arch

How does High Arch effect activity? The High Arch is usually inflexible, and lacks cushioning. High Arch patients can have difficulty with prolonged activity and pain even greater than Low Arched patients.

A high arched foot lacks flexibility and surface area for absorbing shock and as a result is very prone to ankle sprains

StandingProlonged standing in a locked position makes High Arched patients have great ball of foot and heel pain

WalkingWalking is not usually a very straining activity for the High Arch, but they are more likely to develop Plantar Fasciitis due to tension.

RunningHigh Arches are more likely to develop knee, hip, and lower back pain due to lack of shock absorption, this can even lead to bad posture and pain in the upper back

Old Age and High ArchHow does High Arch change with Age? High arches can be associated with foot health issues like: Metatarsalgia, Hammertoes, Ankle-sprain, Arthritis, Calluses, Achilles Tendonitis, Peroneal tendons near the ankle, and the iliotibial band, Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splint, and stress fractures, usually affecting the tibia bone of the leg or metatarsal bones of the foot.

In older adults, the foot complaints encountered most often are:Bunions  A bony growth or misaligned bone at the base of the big toe. Eventually, the big toe may bend abnormally toward the small toes.Calluses and corns.  Dead, yellowish, thickened skin on toes.Hammertoes  Toe joints that curl up or underFoot problems related to diabetes  Such as stubborn foot ulcers that are difficult to heal, loss of feeling or circulation problems.Foot problems associated with deformities  These may be caused by arthritis Heel pain.  This pain is present at the back of the arch from heel spurs plantar fasciitis an inflamed ligament along the bottom of the footAchilles tendonitis inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf muscle

Sources: http://www.painfreefeet.ca/index.cfm?id=41655http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/cavus-foot.htmhttp://www.footsmart.com/health-resource-center/foot/arch-painhttp://www.uihealthcare.org/high-arches-you-dont-have-to-live-with-the-pain/

Insoles for High ArchInsoles as a treatment for the High ArchA structural problem or neurological problem can lead to the development of a High Arch. This causes permanent imbalances that insoles, braces, and orthotics can fix.

What insoles help High Arch?High Arched patients do not need the arch support found in most insoles, but they do need material to keep the foot in proper balance. They also need insoles that focus on shock absorbing and extra cushioning.

Heel pads are great for those with High Arches

What common mistakes do people make when selecting insoles for High Arches?• Choosing insoles with material that compresses too easily, High Arches place

greater pressure on the ball of foot and heel quickly wearing down material• Not wearing a proper fit, High Arched feet often can not fit into shoes properly

because of incorrectly measured foot depth and length

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