Over-Pronation and Low Foot Arches: 3 Medical Therapies That Can Help Immediately

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Most people who experience foot pain in the heel area  think that it is something minor and will subside with rest and engaging in less physical  activity. However, sometimes the heel pain is a red flag for something that the doctor may need to treat. Foot malformations such as excess pronation or flat feet can lead to more acute conditions such as plantar fascitis. This often crippling heel pain can be treated in a sterile back office as an outpatient.

Effective Plantar Fasciitis Therapy Is Readily Available

As reported by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), plantar fasciitis can be caused by faulty biomechanics and walking motion. This can include overpronation and low foot arches, just to name a few.  When the lower leg biomechanics are out of step with the other parts  of the body, undue impact and jarring are put on bones and ligaments of the feet that are not intended to absorb those stresses. One manifestation of this, excessive jarring or even being overweight can all be contributing causes for heel pain.

Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis Can Be a Welcomed Relief

A surgery known as Instep Plantar Fasciotomy is one treatment for plantar fasciitis that is completed while the patient’s foot and ankle are completely numbed. The plantar fascia is a ligament of tissue at the root of pain caused by this condition. The heel is incised by the physician just over the heel bone. The swollen region and damaged tissue is taken out from the inflamed heel tissues. Once the incision is stitched up, a walking boot is recommended to be used for about 4-6 weeks, depending upon the patient’s recovery.

Overpronation and Flat Feet Also Result in a Non-Surgical Flat Foot

Low level sound frequencies are also being used today to treat certain foot problems. Denominated ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), this solution aims to use low-dose sound waves to eliminate the affected tissues in the heel. It sounds counterintuitive, but it isn’t. The partial destruction of these tissues in low amounts actually starts the body’s healing response and helps the plantar fasciitis to resolve itself. In a study done in the early part of this decade, it took eight-hundred study participants about two months to heal completely with about 80% to 90% success.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment with Less Down Time

Finally, endoscopic plantar fascia removals are becoming more commonly used because of their short healing duration. In this procedure, the foot is given a nerve block in the ankle while the patient is conscious. Given that some doctors may prefer to use a general anesthesia, that is also a valid way to conduct the operation with reduced stress to the person. Small slits are made in the left and right sides of the heel to access the affected areas.  A camera is used to assist the doctor to locate the plantar fascia ligament. Once it has been  identified, it is surgically fixed so that it can heal properly.

Overpronation and Flat Feet Can be Treated Before it Turns Into Plantar Fasciitis

Though surgery is only required in about 5% of the cases of heel pain from plantar fasciitis, it’s advisable to be up to date on the procedures that doctors are using today. Continuing with PT (physical therapy) is one of the best things patients can do after undergoing any of these procedures. Massages, exercises, and whirlpool therapy are just some of the many tools in the physical therapist’s toolbox that can assist. For persons with walking gait malformations and biomechanics issues such as overpronation or flat feet, orthotic inserts are advised to halt recurrence of heel pain.


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March 31, 2010 · Filed Under Medicine

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