Guide to Treating Flat Feet and Overpronation
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Posted On :
Mar-08-2010
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Article Word Count :
617
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Many people who experience heel pain assume that it's nothing to worry about and will go away with rest and less activity. However, in some cases the heel pain is a red flag for something that the doctor may need to treat. Abnormal foot issues such as overpronation or flat feet can lead to more severe conditions such as plantar fasciitis. This often disabling pain in the heels can be treated in a operating room as an outpatient.
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Many people who experience heel pain assume that it's nothing to worry about and will go away with rest and less activity. However, in some cases the heel pain is a red flag for something that the doctor may need to treat. Abnormal foot issues such as overpronation or flat feet can lead to more severe conditions such as plantar fasciitis. This often disabling pain in the heels can be treated in a operating room as an outpatient.
Flat Feet Can Be a Biomechanical Issue
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), plantar fasciitis can be caused by congenital malformations and step patterns. This can include overpronation and flat feet, for instance. In cases when the lower leg biomechanics are out of sync with the entire body, excessive impact and jarring are put on bones and ligaments of the feet that are not intended to bear those pressures. One manifestation of this, jumping or even being overweight can all be contributing factors for heel pain.
Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis Can Be a Welcomed Relief
A surgical option called Instep Plantar Fasciotomy is one plantar fasciitis treatment that is completed while the patient's foot and ankle are completely numbed. The plantar fascia is a ligament of tissue responsible for the extreme pain caused by this condition. The heel is incised by the physician just over the heel bone. The fluid-filled area and injured tissue is taken out from the affected foot. Once the incision is sutured, a walking cast is required for about four to six weeks, depending upon the healing time for the patient.
Over-pronation and Flat Feet Also Result in a Non-Surgical Flat Feet
A type of cutting edge technology being used today to heal foot conditions is with waves of low level sound. Denominated ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), this solution aims to use low-dose sound waves to destroy the affected tissuesin the heel. It Is apparently counterintuitive, but it isn't. The injuring of these tissues in tiny amounts actually starts the body's healing response and helps the plantar fasciitis to resolve itself. In a study done in the early part of this decade, it took eight-hundred study participants about 8 weeks to heal completely with about 85% success.
Cut Healing Time Dramatically with this Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis
The final medical procedure that is becoming more popular simply because it requires less recovery time is an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. In this procedure, the foot is anesthetized while the patient is alert. Given that some doctors may prefer to put the patient under, that is also a sensible way to carry out the surgery with reduced stress to the patient. Quarter-inch incisions are made in the left and right sides of the heel to access the affected areas. A camera is used to help the physician to identify the plantar fascia ligament. Once it has been identified, it is surgically fixed so that it can heal properly.
Over-pronation and Flat Feet Don't Have to Hurt as Much
Statistics show that surgery is needed in about five percent of the cases of heel pain from plantar fasciitis, it's recommended to be up to date on the procedures that doctors are using today. Following up after surgery with physical therapy is one of the best things people can do after undergoing any of these procedures. Stretches, strength building, and underwater therapy are just some of the many procedures that can make a difference. For people with walking gait abnormalities and biomechanics problems such as excess pronation or flat feet, supportive orthotics insoles are one of the best ways to stop recurrence of plantar fasciitis.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Guide to Treating Flat Feet and Overpronation_12712.aspx
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Author Resource :
Many people find it difficult to wake up in the mornings because of a sharp pain in the foot arch. There are several types of plantar fasciitis treatment, and one of them is to provide adequate arch support.
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Keywords :
orthotics, shin splints, massage, orthotic insoles, arch support, shoe insoles, foot pain, leg pain, shin pain,
Category :
Health and Fitness
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Health and Fitness
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