One of the most common causes of foot and leg discomfort is a condition known as overpronation. Normal pronation, or "turning inward" of the foot is necessary as the foot adapts to the ground. With over pronation, the arch flattens, collapses, and soft tissues stretch. This causes the joint surfaces to function at unnatural angles to each other. When this happens, joints that should be stable now become very loose and flexible.
At first, over pronation may cause fatigue. As the problem gets worse, strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the foot and lower leg can cause permanent problems and deformities.
1. When standing, your heels lean inward.
2. When standing, one or both of your knee caps turn inward.
3. Conditions such as a flat feet or bunions may occur.
4. You develop knee pain when you are active or involved in athletics. The knee pain slowly goes away when you rest.
5. You abnormally wear out the soles and heels of your shoes very quickly.
Symptoms can manifest in many different ways. The associated conditions depend on the individual lifestyle of each patient. Here is a list of some of the conditions associated with Over Pronation:
Hallux Abducto Valgus (bunions)
Hallux Rigidus (stiff 1st toe)
Heel Pain (plantar Facsitus)
Metatarsalgia (ball of the foot pain)
Corns & Calluses
Over pronation occurs due to a biomechanical dysfunction see above). This can be controlled via Insoles and Orthotics.
Anti-Pronation Insoles provide a unique foot support system that aligns the lower body. The major cause of foot and leg pain is over pronation (rolling over of the feet) which causes excessive pressure on the muscles, ligaments and bones of the lower body. Running insoles treat the underlying cause of over pronation and prevent future occurrences of the associated foot or leg condition.
A project conducted at the NIKE Sport Research Laboratory studied the effects of orthotics on rear foot movement in running. Nine well-trained runners who wore orthotics were chosen as subjects. The results of the study indicated that orthotics reduced rear foot movement by roughly one degree or approximately nine percent of the amount found in runners not using orthotics. The average reduction of the maximum velocity of pronation was fifteen percent. Thus this study indicates that orthotics and insoles control over pronation which will treat and prevent many sporting injuries.
Orthotics can help you with your foot problems. Orthotics work on your feet in the same way the braces work on the teeth - by exerting gentle consistent pressure to bring your foot muscles and back into proper alignment.
Insoles/Orthotics have been used for years to help people with over pronation. Traditionally when we think of insoles or orthotics we think of a hard plastic insert that is placed in the shoe. It cups the heel and supports the arch but because it is not flexible it does not extend the full length of the foot. This tends to make this type of orthotic uncomfortable and ineffective for many people.
It also repositions the arch using "brute force." As it is not flexible it forces the arch into its correct position but does nothing to relieve the pressure that is forcing the arch to collapse, causing over pronation, in the first place. This type of hard plastic orthotic can actually cause increased pain in flat feet patients, which is the reason why we have recommended the Dr Foot Sport Insoles for the treatment of over pronation. They provide a flexible yet incredibly supportive and stable treatment.
Your feet are the only pair you will ever have. You are wise to take good care of them.
About 80% of the population have structural problems in their feet which cause abnormal walking patterns.
"I love the Dr Foot Sports Insoles! I am an avid runner, with over-pronation and a family history of foot and leg pain. The Dr Foot Sports Insoles make running possible for me. I've tried many other insoles and none of them work as well as Dr Foot. I'm currently training for my second marathon, and my Dr Foot Sports Insoles are protecting me from injury. Thank you!"
Miss Smith, Michigan, USA