What could be the cause of the pain in your arch?
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) could be one of the causes - here's why;
With PTTD being the most common cause of adult acquired flat foot, it is vital that it is not overlooked or misdiagnosed as this can lead to long-term deformity and pain. We have a tendon that runs through the middle of our foot called the tibialis posterior (TP) tendon. The TP tendon is hugely important when it comes to rolling our foot out or inverting our foot.
Symptoms of tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction include pain in the arch, difficulty performing a heel raise, or that the foot turns outwards or abducts when walking.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the pain increasing, or the deformity worsening. Some of these factors include but not limited to:
Excessive pronation during stance phase of gait
Prolonged use of poor quality footwear
History of eversion ankle sprains
Repetitive damage to the spring ligament complex
Age causing a degeneration of collagen synthesis and poor repair
Unguided repetitive steroid use
This condition can be well managed especially if diagnosed early due to its degenerative nature. Depending on the condition's progression and its stage, a comprehensive management plan will be formulated for you.
The goal of treatment will be to reduce pain and increase foot function, as well as minimizing further deterioration of this progressive condition.
If you or someone you know think you may be suffering from this debilitating condition, get in touch today for a thorough biomechanical assessment to have it properly diagnosed and treated.
Image used from Foot Pain Explored
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