Arch Enemy
A low-arched foot type is not something commonly associated with an inflammatory disease process. On the contrary, like fingerprints, people tend to think of foot shape and walking patterns as innate characteristics which are unique to an individual and are more or less permanent. However, the foot and ankle are dynamically complex structures which can in fact change shape over time due to age, disease, and other factors. A perfect example of this is when one of the major tendons of the ankle becomes inflamed, damaged, and dysfunctional. The end result is a condition commonly referred to as adult acquired flatfoot.
The force that allows you to roll your heel inwards or step up on your toes is generated by a major tendon which runs along the inside of your ankle behind the bump or “malleolus” on your inner ankle. This tendon runs under and across the sole into the underside of the ball area of the foot. Not only is this tendon responsible for performing those basic maneuvers, but it also plays a major role in maintaining the arch of the foot. As one might guess, when this tendon becomes inflamed or damaged, not only is weakness a possible outcome, but the arch and thus the entire foot structure are subject to change.
The exact causes behind the tendon breakdown and weakness haven’t been fully described yet but there are many associated factors. Gout, psoriasis, diabetes, smoking, RA, and high blood pressure among others have all been linked to this disorder. Patients typically present walking on a collapsed mid-foot with both the heel and toes rotated outward away from their normal positions, and pain indicated on both the inside and outside of the ankle and mid-foot.
Cases of adult acquired flatfoot with tendon dysfunction are first managed with a thorough clinical evaluation. Following this, your foot doctor may want to order one or more diagnostic exams such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. These findings will be helpful in determining the extent of the injury as well as which treatment options are most appropriate. These treatments may include anything from casting and physical therapy to surgical procedures to repair the tendon or even fuse several bones of the foot.
In many cases, the arch of the foot doesn’t necessarily need to be collapsed for the disease process to be well underway. This condition is ranked in progressive stages which may only be able to be determined clinically or with radiographs. Therefore, even if you only notice mild pain and tenderness along the arch of your foot, or weakness when standing and performing other activities, it’s certainly not a bad idea to contact your podiatrist in Chandler. Tendon inflammation along the inner ankle can be treated much more easily when caught earlier- before structural changes begin to take place.
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