A progressive deteriorating of a flat foot or dropped arch in an adult is usually termed posterior tibial tendon dysfunction or adult acquired flatfoot and will have major outcomes if not recognized earlier and sorted out. This is more common in older along with over weight adults. The most crucial issue is how the posterior tibial muscles which are responsible for holding up the arch in the foot is no longer very good at undertaking that, so a ongoing flattening of the foot happens. As well as a falling of the arch of the feet there may be usually increasing discomfort and pain within the arch area of the feet and also the rearfoot. As it advances, further walking gets progressively tougher and is extremely fatiguing.
There are actually typically four stages involving posterior tibial tendon dysfunction that the problem advances through with one being the initial phase and four being the end phase that only surgery can deal with. There is some disagreement of the stages with this as their is variability amongst health professionals and some reliability issues. While acknowledging that, stage 1 is generally managed with foot orthoses as well as exercises plus some medication for the pain and discomfort. Stage two commonly requires more aggressive and supporting foot orthotics, continuing with the exercises and higher amounts of pain relief medicines are usually necessary. Both stage 1 and 2 may benefit with high top supporting shoes. Long term weight loss programs will also be likely to be beneficial. When this doesn't halt the progression and the foot is proceeding towards a stage 3, then there is growing probability that reconstructive foot surgery is going to be needed. Because of this it's so crucial that there be more intense conservative treatment of the feet when it's still in stage two to end the development.
An increasingly common solutions for adult acquired flat foot given it progresses to stage two would be the Richie Brace. This brace has been commonly used and it has been shown to be very successful at stopping the progress with this condition and avoiding the requirement for surgical treatment. Surgical interventions tend to be effective, but there is however usually a left over level of impairment remaining because the surgery usually will require the fusing of some important joints and the transfer of muscles insertions with other areas of the foot. The Richie brace is a blend of an aggressively supportive bespoke foot orthoses with an ankle foot orthoses with struts to support each side of the ankle joint. The bespoke foot orthotic is manufactured from a plaster cast or optical scan of the feet with the foot held in a fixed alignment. The aim of the foot orthoses part of the Richie Brace will be to try to support the foot in that corrected placement. The struts which get added up the side of the ankle joint are hinged with the ankle joint permitting movement to take place at the joint. These struts are then held on by Velcro on the leg to further support and enhance the benefit of the foot orthotic. Generally if the progress of the problem can be halted making use of this, then surgical treatment is commonly avoided.
