All you need to know about Foot arch pain
Foot arch pain is a common ailment that can significantly effect your daily life, making simple activities like walking or standing a source of discomfort. At Dr KP Meda’s Foot and Ankle Clinic, we understand how disabling this pain can be.
This blog offers an in-depth look at foot arch pain, exploring its causes, symptoms, and effective treatment options to support your recovery.
The foot arch is a vital structural feature that supports body weight, helps absorb shock, and contributes to balance and proper movement.
In people with flat feet, also known as fallen arches, the arch is either very low or absent, causing the entire sole of the foot to touch or nearly touch the ground when standing.
Your foot arches are more than just the curved underside of your feet. They are crucial biomechanical structures that play several vital roles:
Shock absorption: They act as natural shock absorbers, cushioning the impact when your feet strike the ground during walking, running, and jumping.
Weight distribution: They help distribute your body weight evenly across your feet, providing balance and stability.
Propulsion: They contribute to the push-off phase of walking and running, allowing for efficient movement.Flexibility and adaptation: The arches allow your feet to adapt to different terrains and surfaces. The foot features three main arches: the medial longitudinal arch (inner arch), the lateral longitudinal arch (outer arch), and the anterior transverse arch (which spans the ball of the foot). Pain can occur in any of these areas, but the inner arch is a particularly common site of discomfort.
Pain in the arches of your feet can result from several contributing factors. Understanding these causes is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment:
Plantar fasciitis: Swelling of the dense tissue on the sole of the foot. Often caused by overuse, tight calves, or poor footwear. Pain is usually felt in the heel and arch.
Flat feet (Fallen arches): When the arch flattens and the entire sole touches the ground. It can develop with age, injury, obesity, or arthritis. Leads to strain and pain in the arch.
High arches (Pes cavus): The arch is too high, reducing midfoot contact with the ground. This increases pressure on the heel and ball of the foot, causing pain.
Overpronation: The foot rolls inward too much when walking or running. This overstretches the arch and plantar fascia.
Improper footwear: Shoes without proper support or cushioning, like high heels or worn-out sneakers, can trigger arch pain.
Overuse or long periods of standing: High-impact activities or prolonged standing without support can strain the arch.
Injury: Sprains or strains to foot ligaments or tendons can cause sudden arch pain.
Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (PTTD): This tendon supports the arch. When damaged, it can cause arch collapse and pain in the inner foot and ankle.
Arthritis: Foot joint pain and stiffness in the arch can be caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Obesity: Extra weight on the body puts more strain on the arches, making pain more likely.
Also Read: plantar fasciitis arch support insoles
Inner arch foot pain symptoms can differ based on the underlying cause, but typical signs include:
- Pain along the foot arch
- Pain that is worse after rest or in the morning.
- Pain that worsens with activity.
- Tenderness to the touch along the arch.
- Stiffness in the foot.
- Swelling or inflammation in the arch area.
- Difficulty standing on tiptoes.
- A feeling of weakness or instability in the foot.
- Changes in the foot’s shape (e.g., arch flattening).
Individuals with flat feet or low arches are prone to inner arch foot pain. Because the arch collapses, the plantar fascia and other supporting structures are under increased stress. This can lead to inflammation and pain, specifically along the inner aspect of the foot’s arch.
Read more about: flat feet treatment in dubai
For persistent inner arch foot pain, seeking a professional assessment from a foot and ankle specialist like Dr KP Meda is crucial. A thorough examination will involve:
Medical history: Discuss your symptoms, activity levels, and relevant medical conditions.
Physical examination: Assessing the structure of your feet, your gait (how you walk), and identifying the specific areas of pain and tenderness.
Imaging tests (if necessary): In some instances, X-rays may be requested to check for fractures or arthritis. MRI or ultrasound may evaluate soft tissues like the plantar fascia or tendons.
Personalized Care with Dr. KP Meda
Foot arch pain, often associated with conditions like flat feet (fallen arches), can cause discomfort, instability, and affect overall mobility. If left untreated, it may contribute to long-term joint stress and postural issues.
Dr. KP Meda offers individualized treatment plans designed to address the specific causes and severity of arch pain.
Dr KP Meda will recommend a customised treatment plan, which may include the following:
Rest and immobilisation: Most patients are advised to rest the affected foot using a walking boot for 3–4 weeks. This reduces stress and allows inflamed or injured tissues to heal.
Anti-inflammatory treatment: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to control pain and inflammation.
Custom orthotics: Individually designed orthotic insoles help support the arch, improve foot alignment, and relieve pressure on painful areas.
Physiotherapy: Specific exercises are prescribed to strengthen the foot and lower leg muscles, enhancing support and stability.
One of the most recommended pain management treatments with injections:
Dr KP Meda is podiatrist in dubai trusted for his effective pain management techniques, particularly the use of corticosteroid injections for patients with persistent discomfort.
When other treatments fail to provide relief, these injections help reduce inflammation in the tendons or surrounding tissues, alleviating pain and improving mobility. Ideal for conditions like tendinitis, arthritis, and bursitis, the injections offer significant relief, allowing patients to resume daily activities with less discomfort.
Dr KP Meda’s expert approach ensures precise and effective treatment, making it a trusted solution for lasting pain relief.
Surgery
When conservative treatments fail and foot arch pain worsens, surgery may be necessary. For early-stage flexible flatfoot, a heel corrective osteotomy with tendon transfer is performed, while advanced rigid flatfoot requires a triple fusion procedure to stabilize the foot.
Foot arch pain can significantly impede an active and fulfilling life. Dr KP Meda’s Foot and Ankle Clinic provides comprehensive and effective care for all foot and ankle conditions, including foot arch pain.
If you are suffering from discomfort in your foot arches, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation.
We will work with you to exactly diagnose the cause of your pain and develop a customised treatment plan to help you find relief and get back to doing what you love, pain-free.
Check out: heel pain treatment in Dubai
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