questions about feet

[lynsosaurus]

this is a thread where we can ask knibbles questions about our dodgy feet, or perhaps request some foot news, or anything else foot-related really. i'll start:

what is it called when your foot kind of slouches inwards a little when you take steps? is that called pronating, or is that something else entirely? and what can be done to fix such a thing? i keep getting pains in my shins and i think it might be because i walk funny.

[knibbles]

this is a thread where we can ask knibbles questions about our dodgy feet, or perhaps request some foot news, or anything else foot-related really. i'll start:

what is it called when your foot kind of slouches inwards a little when you take steps? is that called pronating, or is that something else entirely? and what can be done to fix such a thing? i keep getting pains in my shins and i think it might be because i walk funny.

Hello. When you say slouches in, do you mean the arch of the foot lowers and rolls into the ground? Or do you mean inwards as in your toes point in towards the middle of you?

If you mean that your toes point in towards the middle of you, don't worry about it, most people grow out of it by the age of 8. If you mean your arch lowers medially, sort of on the inside, then yes that is pronation, and it's usually quite easy to treat, although it depends what's causing it. You might find that simpe insoles with a rigid arch filler will be enough, and I can sort out getting some of those for you.

Is the pain in your shin right at the back of your leg in the centre or is it on the outside or on the inside of the shin? Depending on where the pain is will help point to what's causing the problem.

[hayleygerms]

Dear Marjorie Knibbleston,

I can't walk flat. When I walk, I walk on the outside edges of my feet which means that the soles of my shoes wear down only on one side. IS THIS NORMAL? It doesn't hurt or anything, it just makes me look a bit special.

Love from Snorks xxxxx

P.S. I am interested in foot news, I think. What's new in the world of feet?

[lynsosaurus]

this is a thread where we can ask knibbles questions about our dodgy feet, or perhaps request some foot news, or anything else foot-related really. i'll start:

what is it called when your foot kind of slouches inwards a little when you take steps? is that called pronating, or is that something else entirely? and what can be done to fix such a thing? i keep getting pains in my shins and i think it might be because i walk funny.

Hello. When you say slouches in, do you mean the arch of the foot lowers and rolls into the ground? Or do you mean inwards as in your toes point in towards the middle of you?

If you mean that your toes point in towards the middle of you, don't worry about it, most people grow out of it by the age of 8. If you mean your arch lowers medially, sort of on the inside, then yes that is pronation, and it's usually quite easy to treat, although it depends what's causing it. You might find that simpe insoles with a rigid arch filler will be enough, and I can sort out getting some of those for you.

Is the pain in your shin right at the back of your leg in the centre or is it on the outside or on the inside of the shin? Depending on where the pain is will help point to what's causing the problem.

ooh, that is very helpful indeed. it sounds like i'm a pronator. i'll try to fill my arches as soon as possible.

the pain in my shin usually only appears when i walk a lot, and is right in the front centre of my leg, right up the bony bit. i'm aware you're not a shin doctor, but perhaps this is foot-related.

[linus]

all this refloxology caper... is it true? does it work? or is voudou?

[squirrelboutique]

And what about magnetic shoe insert things? Will they help me do anything?

[a layer of chips]

I wouldn't let knibbles anywhere near my feet. I've seen her with a vegetable knife.

ONCE.

[hayleygerms]

the pain in my shin usually only appears when i walk a lot, and is right in the front centre of my leg, right up the bony bit. i'm aware you're not a shin doctor, but perhaps this is foot-related.

Hey! I get that too! Only in my left leg though. It's like my bone is on fire. Fnarr. I always thought it was something to do with my metal knee, but you haven't got a metal knee, so now I'm thinking it might be something else. Like gangrene or Leg Aids.

[squirrelboutique]

What's with all the shinquerying in the feet thread?

[a layer of chips]

It took me ages to realise what shinquerying actually said.

[squirrelboutique]

I just spent about five minutes sitting in my office saying it out loud to myself.

It sounds slightly Celtic.

[a layer of chips]

Are you thinking of shinty?

I think shinquerying is where you throw flat pebbles into a lake and see if you can make them bounce. And your feet hurt.

[alongwalkhome]

And what about magnetic shoe insert things? Will they help me do anything?

I can answer this one: they make you fly!

Doctor Knibbles: I pronate and it is causing me a lot of arch pain and bunions. I have inserts, but they don't do a goddamned thing. It's particularly painful when I run* at the gym. The worst of all this is that there are NO CUTE SHOES that are supportive enough in the arch--or are there?? Do you know of any brands w/good arch support that don't look like a 87-year-old lunch lady should be wearing them??


*a very fast waddle

[knibbles]

Bloody hell, who knew so many people had chumpy feet.

Lynsosaurus, are you a size 6 shoe? I'll get some insoles sent up to you.
Snorkachu, the outside of your foot, eh? Well, in which case you are Lynsosaurus's arch nemesis, so to speak, as that makes it sound like you are supinating, the exact opposite of her. Where as Lyns should find some alleviation with off the shelf insoles, you my dear are another kettle of tea, as supination is more tricky to sort out. It could be caused by a number of things, it could be due to an abnormal position of your subtalar joint, or possibly you could have a problem with the alignment of your forefoot in comparison to your rearfoot. I realise none of this makes much sense, but in summary, if the pain becomes worse and is affecting your activities then you will need a custom casted device to put in your shoes to sort it out. However, they will cost about £200 and you will need to see a specialist biomechanical podiatrist to get an appropriate prescription, there really is no easy way to solve a supinatory problem. Ha! Well gutted. Anyway, my advice would be that if you are not in considerable pain to leave well alone and just carry on walking like a squiffy legged bugger.

Alongwalkhome, I may well have some lovely news for you, although it involves self examination, if you will. If the pain is up the back of your calves, then I recommend you do a quick test to see if you have any tension in your gastrocnemius muscle. If you sit down with your legs out stretched striaght, then grab your toes, and pull them towards your body, does it hurt the back of your leg? Or if you can't quite reach your toes with your leg outstretched, try standing on a step facing upwards, then shuffle back a bit so that only the balls of your feet are on the step and your heels are dangling in midair, then push your heels sort of downwards, and see if that hurts the back of your leg. Sorry about the longwinded description, it's easier to demonstrate in real life. Anyway, if you get any pain in the back of your leg when you do that, then let me know and I will give you some stretches to sort that out. It may be that you have an ankle equinous which needs addressing first, because arch supports won't help until you have increased dorsiflexion at the ankle. I have just realised it is almost impossible to talk about foot problems without using lots of ridiculous words.

Sorry that was so boring.

[lynsosaurus]

i find all those words quite exciting, myself.

i am indeed a size 6. that is very kind of you. free consultation AND free insoles!

[knibbles]

P.S. I am interested in foot news, I think. What's new in the world of feet?

Foot news, eh? Well, here is the headlines from March 2008's edition of Podiatry Now, my podiatric journal of choice;

World Foot Awareness Month 2008 takes place in May

HRH the Duchess of Cornwall opens new centre for Clinical Education at University of East London

New paper published to help secure the Allied Heath Professional workforce capacity to achieve the 18 week target.

It's all happening in feet, clearly.

[knibbles]

i find all those words quite exciting, myself.

i am indeed a size 6. that is very kind of you. free consultation AND free insoles!

I'll get 'em sent in the next couple of weeks. It will go some small way to compensating you for trashing your coffee pot.

[lynsosaurus]

ach, it was only a lid. nothing a bit of clingfilm can't fix.

[squirrelboutique]

Is it possible that Lynsey's foot trouble could be related to the inordinate amount of time she spends biting large nuts?

[alongwalkhome]

Alongwalkhome, I may well have some lovely news for you, although it involves self examination, if you will. If the pain is up the back of your calves, then I recommend you do a quick test to see if you have any tension in your gastrocnemius muscle. If you sit down with your legs out stretched striaght, then grab your toes, and pull them towards your body, does it hurt the back of your leg? Or if you can't quite reach your toes with your leg outstretched, try standing on a step facing upwards, then shuffle back a bit so that only the balls of your feet are on the step and your heels are dangling in midair, then push your heels sort of downwards, and see if that hurts the back of your leg. Sorry about the longwinded description, it's easier to demonstrate in real life. Anyway, if you get any pain in the back of your leg when you do that, then let me know and I will give you some stretches to sort that out. It may be that you have an ankle equinous which needs addressing first, because arch supports won't help until you have increased dorsiflexion at the ankle. I have just realised it is almost impossible to talk about foot problems without using lots of ridiculous words.

WOW! I dunno what all you said, but it's fucking well impressive! Um, yes, it does hurt up the back of my leg, Dr. Knibbles. I have very tight calves. All of me is tight--in fact I'm using a microwavable "Bed Buddy" on my shoulders right now at work. I look a complete tit, but they didn't hire me to look good. I get wicked arch cramps/toe cramps at the end of a long day; does this concur with your diagnosis?

I am googling "gastrocnemius" and "ankle equinous" as we speak! Thank you--you rock!!