Guide to Treating Flat Feet and Overpronation - By: Fred Salomon

Many people who experience heel pain assume that it's nothing to worry about and will go away with rest and less activity. Unfortunately, in some cases the heel pain is a warning signal from the body that it is injured. Malformed foot conditions such as overpronation or flat feet can lead to more severe conditions such as plantar fasciitis. This often crippling heel pain can be treated in a surgical center as an outpatient.

Flat Foot Can Be a Biomechanical Issue

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, plantar fasciitis can be caused by faulty biomechanics and walking motion. These issues can include overpronation and flat feet, just to name a few. When the lower body biomechanics are out of sync with the rest of the body, too much stress and pressure are put on bones and ligaments of the feet that are not meant to take those stresses. One manifestation of this, excessive jarring or even being heavier than recommended can all be contributing causes for heel pain.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis Can Be a Welcomed Relief

A surgical option called Instep Plantar Fasciotomy is one treatment for plantar fasciitis that is done under ankle block anesthesia (patient is awake but the foot is numbed). The plantar fascia is a ligament of tissue to blame for the excruciating discomfort caused by this condition. The surgeon opens the heel through a small incision made above the affected area of the heel. The swollen region and damaged tissue is removed from the affected foot. Once the wound is sutured, a walking shoe is prescribed for use for an estimated four to six weeks, depending upon the healing time for the patient.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis Can Be Treated Non-Surgically

A type of cutting edge technology being used today to heal foot conditions is with waves of low level sound. Denominated extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), this technology aims to use small levels of sound waves to eliminate the affected tissues. It sounds counterintuitive, but it isn't. The damaging of these tissues in low amounts actually evokes the body's healing response and cures the body of the painful issue. In a 2004 study, it took nearly 1000 study participants about two months to heal completely with about 85% success.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis with Less Down Time

Finally, endoscopic plantar fascia removals are becoming more commonly used because of their short healing duration. In this surgical solution, the foot is anesthetized while the patient is awake. Since some surgeons may prefer to have the patient unconscious, that is also a valid way to conduct the surgery with reduced stress to the person. Quarter-inch incisions are made in the left and right sides of the heel to access the affected areas. A camera is used to aid the physician to locate the plantar fascia ligament. After it has been found, the surgeon fixes the problems inside and closes the wound.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis is Better Today than Ever Before

Though surgery is only required in about 5% of the cases of heel pain from plantar fasciitis, it's good to be aware of the procedures that surgeons 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. Manual manipulation, water pool exercise, and lengthening the tissues are just some of the many tools in the physical therapist's toolbox that can assist. For people with walking gait malformations and biomechanical issues such as over-pronation or flat feet, orthotics are one of the best ways to avoid reappearance of heel pain.

About the Author

Having flat feet can cause a condition also known as over-pronation, which affects the balance and alignment of our lower limbs. Footminders researchers know that over-pronation and foot pain can be healed by wearing shoe insoles and foot orthotics regularly.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Fred-Salomon/41446

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