Why Do I Have Painful Fallen Arches???

You MAY have Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) or commonly called Adult Acquired Flat Foot (AAFF).

PTTD/AAFF is a progressive overuse injury which leads to a reduction in strength and efficiency of the posterior tibial tendon. It is quite often linked with adult acquired flat foot which can present quite similarly. PTTD/AAFF comes in a variety of stages ranging from a minor tear of the tendon to complete rupture of the tendon with associated bone and ligament issues.

Common causes…

• Acute injury
• Long term over use
• Pregnancy
• High impact activities
• Inappropriate footwear
• Obesity
• Naturally occurring flat feet
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

How is PTTD/AAFF treated?

Depending on the stage and the individual, it can be treated in a multitude of ways. These include:

• Rest to help reduce the load on the tendon, in severe cases this can include using a boot
• Orthotics to help increased the arch height and reduce the load on the tendon. We have had HUGE success with our special device, as displayed in the image.
• Heel raise exercises to strengthen the tendon
• Appropriate footwear such as supportive joggers
• In some serious cases a surgical intervention may be required to help repair damage to the tendon and associated joints and ligaments

If you have flat feet and suffer from pain on the inside of the ankle, come and visit one of our friendly podiatrists today. The podiatrist will be able to assess, diagnose and implement a management plan tailored to your specific foot structure, activities and footwear.

By Isaac Hogan, Podiatrist.