Are your feet beginning to look misaligned or disfigured? Do they burn when you walk? Are your hips and back always in pain? No matter how old you are, or what you do regularly it is still estimated that about 45% of people have a foot disorder that not many have heard of. This foot disorder is widely known in the podiatry world as misaligned feet.
What Are Misaligned Feet?
Have you ever noticed that your feet behave differently when you walk? If your feet roll inward when you walk, this could be a sign of misaligned feet. More specifically, when the feet roll inward when walking, this is called overpronation or hyper-pronation. When your feet are properly aligned, your ankle bone sits in the right spot which is directly on top of your heel bone. The front edge of the ankle bone sits slightly overlapping the heel bone and allows for a natural amount of space to occur. This space is called the sinus tarsi.
When your feet are misaligned, the ankle bone doesn’t work properly. Instead, it slips off of the heel bone. The slipping causes the sinus tarsi to collapse which allows the feet to roll inward, eliminating the naturally occurring gap.
How Misaligned Feet Affect You
The average person takes up to 10,000 steps a day if, not more. That means you are constantly on your feet. If you are walking a lot and your body is misaligned, your body ends up being forced to make up for its positioning by putting extra strain and pressure on your ankles, knees, hips and back. This can lead to excessive and chronic pain. Not only does this really hurt, but it can also keep you from your everyday tasks.
What Can You Do About Misaligned Feet?
There are many treatment options available for those who suffer from misaligned feet. One such treatment is the use of orthotic devices. These devices are custom-made for your foot and can help to make up for any deformity you may be dealing with. They are inserted into the shoe and generally you cannot notice them. The most obvious sign that you are wearing them is that your pain is eliminated.
Another option is surgery of the foot. There are multiple kinds of surgery that are available due to technological advances. Many newer surgery practices are minimally invasive and require less downtime than the traditional procedures. Before choosing surgery as an option, it is important to consult a podiatrist. Our office can help make your consultation easy and worry-free. Call Joseph Stuto, DPM of Brooklyn, New York. There Dr. Joseph A. Stuto and Joseph C. Stuto can help you treat your misaligned feet. Call 718-624-7537and make an appointment today.