You’ve probably noticed that many television infomercials these days include attorneys who encourage us to seek compensation against various organizations in order to ‘get even’. In many ways, our feet are actually trying to do the same thing! Far from being rigid struts which simply absorb our weight, human feet are very dynamic structures which must work in a coordinated way and adjust to multiple factors in order to balance our bodies and keep us moving. Occasionally, problems in the back or middle of the foot may go unnoticed while forefoot symptoms may arise when trying to compensate for those imbalances.

          Some of the most common foot problems that you’ve probably heard about include bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, flatfeet, and other painful disorders. Many of these conditions are actually in part a response of the forefoot to abnormal mechanics in the rear-foot. With each passing step, the heel must first roll outwards a certain distance before rolling back inwards to stabilize the foot. This motion has a huge impact on the outcome of the forefoot, as different tendons will function atypically if the heel motion is abnormal.

          During the push-off stage of walking, the long bones of the forefoot must move downwards in order for the toes to bend properly. This motion is facilitated by those same tendons which are altered by the motion at the heel. Thus when the heel is unstable, the forefoot is also unstable, and forces from the ground can lead to the development of bunions, contracted digits, and other deformities. Just like a teeter-totter, the foot works constantly to balance our weight and to distribute ground forces equally.

          Of course, this ‘compensation’ is not simply one-sided. Sometimes, the deformity lies in the forefoot. For example, the ligaments holding the joints of the mid-foot may become loose or damaged, resulting in a misalignment or a lack of support to one side of the forefoot. In response, the hind-foot will usually compensate by altering it’s normal function to help off-load those high-pressure areas. Similarly, deformities within the shins, knees, or hips may also be mediated by motion at the heel. Sometimes, this compensation is adequate and sometimes it is not. Occasionally, the entire foot structure may change as a result.

          Your local podiatrist in Chandler is very experienced in treating and managing deformities of the foot and ankle which involve pathologic compensation issues. Again, this covers a wide variety of problems, so multiple treatment options may be considered depending on the nature of your symptoms. If you have any questions, feel free to make an appointment.

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