Flat feet

[Guest guest]

Mel Siff Wrote:

>Some years ago I read in physical therapy journals that one of the most

>effective ways of dealing with " flat feet " (pes planus) is to use electrical

>stimulation (Faradic or interferential) on the relevant muscles of the foot.

>Some people have advocated lifting golf balls and other small objects with

>the toes and feet, but I do not recall reading clinical evidence as to its

>effectiveness.

*** The problem with exercise therapy for flat feet is that many of the

structures responsible for control of the arch - which is so dynamic and

variable throughout gait phases, are ligamentous. If these have been elongated

over time, it is going to take one hell of a flexor hallucis or digitorum, or

adductor hallucis or interossei contraction to control the foot, expecially when

loaded. At least for my way of thinking anyway.

---

Epsley

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Northside Sports Injury Centre

Brisbane, Australia.

e-mail: physio@...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Georgina,

That was an interesting article. Several years ago,,I was told that

Logan might benefit from getting some orthotics,for his flat feet. At the

time,,we had so much going on,,,I just never took the time to go get them

made. Looks like I need to call the Dr back and see if he thinks he still

needs them.

We have an appointment with PT,on March 18,,,so maybe they will make a

recommendation. He is going to PT for his gross motor delays,,I don't

think it has anything to do with his arthritis,,he is developmentally

delayed in most areas.

Hope Josh is still doing good. Logan has been having pain,in the

morning and afternoon,,,but not too bad. Well,I say not too bad,I really

have no idea how bad he is hurting,he rarely complains. He is just stiff

in the morning,,he has a hard time getting out of bed,I usually carry him

to the couch,where he sits for about 30 min,,,then he will walk around

slowly,for a while. By the time its school time,he is usually better.

Then in the afternoon,I usually have to carry him home from the bus stop.

He is on the Naproxen 2x a day,now,,so I don't know what they will

suggest,the next time we see the rheumy.

Well,I just rambled on and on,huh? Talk to ya later.

Kim and Logan 5 poly

On Sat, 22 Feb 2003 12:11:13 -1000 " Georgina " <gmckin@...> writes:

> CORRECT FLAT FEET BEFORE ADOLESCENCE

> http://www.nursinghands.com/News/NewsStory.html?1004563

> Feb 21, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) --

> Surgery to correct flat feet can permanently correct the defect with

> high levels of success if performed during adolescence, a study

> suggests. Researchers noted at a meeting of the American College of

> Foot and Ankle Surgeons that flat feet are difficult to distinguish

> in young children until the arch develops between the ages of six

> and nine. Some children eventually outgrow the condition. Those who

> do not frequently complain of calf pain, cramping or fatigue, and

> parents notice collapsed arches and ankles that turn inward.

>

> Left untreated, childhood flatfoot can lead to arthritis and other

> adult foot problems. Treatment options include shoe modifications,

> orthotic inserts, physical therapy, stretching exercises,

> anti-inflammatory medications and surgery. The 18-month study

> analyzed 37 children following surgery to correct flexible flatfoot.

> " Our results show that just four months following surgery, these

> patients were functioning as well as other children regarding

> physical function, lack of pain and psychological well being, " said

> lead author Darryl Haycock, a foot and ankle surgeon in Lima, Ohio.

> He noted the findings show flatfoot surgery is a safe and reliable

> option for pediatric patients who fail to respond to conservative

> treatment.

>

[Guest guest]

Kim, Have you ever tried having Logan take a warm bath in the morning to get his joints moving and losened up. I ussually have hours more Morning stiffness without the morning hot shower. 30 minutes on a couch could be used for even 20 minutes in a warm bath and do him so much better start of the day. :):)Tree:):) Especially if he would do some ROM exercises while in the bath. Re: Flat Feet Thanks Georgina, That was an interesting article. Several years ago,,I was told thatLogan might benefit from getting some orthotics,for his flat feet. At thetime,,we had so much going on,,,I just never took the time to go get themmade. Looks like I need to call the Dr back and see if he thinks he stillneeds them. We have an appointment with PT,on March 18,,,so maybe they will make arecommendation. He is going to PT for his gross motor delays,,I don'tthink it has anything to do with his arthritis,,he is developmentallydelayed in most areas. Hope Josh is still doing good. Logan has been having pain,in themorning and afternoon,,,but not too bad. Well,I say not too bad,I reallyhave no idea how bad he is hurting,he rarely complains. He is just stiffin the morning,,he has a hard time getting out of bed,I usually carry himto the couch,where he sits for about 30 min,,,then he will walk aroundslowly,for a while. By the time its school time,he is usually better.Then in the afternoon,I usually have to carry him home from the bus stop.He is on the Naproxen 2x a day,now,,so I don't know what they willsuggest,the next time we see the rheumy. Well,I just rambled on and on,huh? Talk to ya later.Kim and Logan 5 polyOn Sat, 22 Feb 2003 12:11:13 -1000 "Georgina" <gmckin@...> writes:> CORRECT FLAT FEET BEFORE ADOLESCENCE > http://www.nursinghands.com/News/NewsStory.html?1004563> Feb 21, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- > Surgery to correct flat feet can permanently correct the defect with > high levels of success if performed during adolescence, a study > suggests. Researchers noted at a meeting of the American College of > Foot and Ankle Surgeons that flat feet are difficult to distinguish > in young children until the arch develops between the ages of six > and nine. Some children eventually outgrow the condition. Those who > do not frequently complain of calf pain, cramping or fatigue, and > parents notice collapsed arches and ankles that turn inward. > > Left untreated, childhood flatfoot can lead to arthritis and other > adult foot problems. Treatment options include shoe modifications, > orthotic inserts, physical therapy, stretching exercises, > anti-inflammatory medications and surgery. The 18-month study > analyzed 37 children following surgery to correct flexible flatfoot. > "Our results show that just four months following surgery, these > patients were functioning as well as other children regarding > physical function, lack of pain and psychological well being," said > lead author Darryl Haycock, a foot and ankle surgeon in Lima, Ohio. > He noted the findings show flatfoot surgery is a safe and reliable > option for pediatric patients who fail to respond to conservative > treatment. > To leave this mailing list, send request to: -unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Hi Soili,

My feet were severly flat as a child, and they were never looked at in my memory

- tried several types of orthotics as an adult - and all were way too painful.

It is so good to see these things addressed early when they can really make a

difference.

Val

Rob's Mom (5,systemic)

In a message dated 2/23/2003 2:00:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,

soilimar@... writes:

>

>

> All my biochildren (plus one foster kid) have flat feet and they've

> all worn foot orthosis of some sort during growth. Our jra boys have

> ones that support the ankle as well, others had softer ones ( " foot

> beds " ). Our kids are also born with hypermobility, so we've

> considered the orthosis important even if they cost a lot of money

> (our state medical insurance only pays for them if the child has a

> serious disease such as jra). Plus the kids do not always appreciate

> them... my dh has always been very strict about kids' footwear (maybe

> because of his profession). The amount of money we've spent on

> shoes... but I do hope it pays off.

> Soili

>

>

> To leave this mailing list, send request to:

> -unsubscribe

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Hi Soili,

> My feet were severly flat as a child, and they were never looked at

in my memory - tried several types of orthotics as an adult - and all

were way too painful. It is so good to see these things addressed

early when they can really make a difference.

Val,

the thing is I don't really know if orthosis has helped my kids or

not. With Juho and Juha it's clear that they need them with thier

arthritis, but f.e. my daughter (12 yo) has worn foot beds since she

was 4 and now her ped. said that she doesn't need them anymore (she

is fully grown). To me her feet still look terrible, but they don't

bother her. (And she never had any trouble with her feet except that

they are in a horrible position and look awfully flat). We still try

to buy her good quality shoes. I remember reading a study that was

about foot orthoses, and they ended up with much nothing trying to

find out whether they are of use or not. It's just that my dh is so

fanatic... about this.

Soili

[Guest guest]

Yep when Tree speaks of flat feet as arthritis , it is indicated in literature that flat feet is a form of arthritis. pretty amazing huh? I went through an experience with my son who was 4 at the time with his feet and ankles and of course with my JRA background my heart skipped a few beats before the DX came in. He cried with his feet so much and missed many of his ballgames because running hurt. In a somewhat panicky state we went to the doc, then the ortho, and even the Ped. Rheumy. In the end I was advised he had a bad case of flat feet and he was put in orthotics (and still is). When I referenced flat feet as arthritis doc said "well not really and what happens for many is not being treated and corrected leads to arthritis, especially of the knees. Who knows, too may opinions! Since orthotics, his problems have subsided and he rarely complains with his feet. He is not only a cub scout now, he recently played basketball, now plays soccer and soon will be playing baseball. To those with issues of flat feet may I highly recommend orthotics!

Oh yeah....I got a fresh new batch of no bake cookies !!!

Donna

[Guest guest]

Adam has one flat foot and one foot with an arch. Go figure.

[Guest guest]

I have a 3 year old son who has CMT1A like I do. We started physical

therapy to see if it would help. He has foot drop and flat feet. The

physical therapist also noticed his toes were usually pointing down

instead of up when walking.

She mentioned that she has helped others who have had flat feet and

some of the same symptoms but for other reasons. Does anyone know if

there is anything that should be considered during the therapy because

he has CMT?

Also, I do not have flat feet so I am not sure how it might manifest

itself for him in the future. Does anyone know how CMT develops

differently if a person has flat feet vs. arched feet?

Thank you,

Olivier

[Guest guest]

Hi Olivier,

I can't help you with the therapy question but when I was a kid I had flat feet

now I have really high arches now I can't tell you when I developed the high

arches because I wasn't diagnosed with CMT till I was 32. My father was about 59

when he was diagnosed and my sister was tested the same day he was and she has

it and her arches aren't high. My father also had one foot bigger than the other

I think it was about a 1/2 size bigger than his other foot, So if your son has

flat feet now he mighte get high arches as he gets older so just keep an eye on

them, I hope this help some.

Tommy

[Guest guest]

Hi Olivier...

My 6 year old son with 1A has flat feet and drop foot too...according to our

doctor you can start out flat and then develop a high arch later or stay flat

forever.

Initially the main correction was to have orthotic inserts in his shoes that

made a bit of an arch for him..his AFOs now have the same...he certainly falls a

lot less. Stretching exercises for the achilles tendons are also necessary.

For the long term, someone I know with CMT mentioned that her adult brother is

still flat-footed. Her perspective is that he has less foot pain than she does

with the high arches.

Take care

Sally

[Guest guest]

I'm a 27 year old female with CMT1A and flat feet. Although I prefer

to describe them as collapsed because they have gone waaayyy beyond

flat. I took a picture of my right foot and posted it in the photos

under " Rena. " The first picture you see is of my husband and myself,

but the second one is of my foot. I also have troublesome foot drop.

I can look back at pictures of myself when I was little and tell that my feet

were leaning inwards, but they have become noticeably and

progessively worse, especially in the last 5 years. I don't know

anything about therapy. I've never tried it or had anyone suggest it

to me. For me, it's uncomfortable to go barefoot because the leaning

gets to be painful. I wear ankle braces to help stabilize and shoes

with really stiff heels.

Rena

[Guest guest]

My son started out with flat feet also. However, as he got older he did develop

the arched foot even though he received therapy at a young age.

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Hi Teri,

My history with CMT, well, I got it from my Mom and she got it from

her Dad, etc... Except all my family members with CMT (Mom,

Grandfather, Aunt, cousin) all have the really high arches. I'm not

sure how I ended up with the flat feet. Yep, I've definitely got it in both

feet, although the right is ever so slightly worse. Shoes are the most

difficult.

I've started saving to get some made for me because I can't hardly handle even

athletic shoes off the shelf anymore. I have trouble with weakness and fatigue

too, but as long as I'm suited up in

stiff heeled, non-irritating shoes with my ankle braces and anti-foot

drop contraptions, I can do pretty well.

We just went on vacation in London, England a few weeks ago, I wore my VERY well

worn in New Balances that don't rub on any bones or force my toes together, and

I managed walking everywhere ok, but then we had to stand in line at the airport

for an hour and a half and that just about killed me. I don't know what it is

about standing still.

You have conditions that I don't even recognize. Good luck with

figuring out the job situation. I taught middle school for several

years before deciding to do nursing. I was very much not liking

teaching, to put it lightly. I know, I sometimes think I'm crazy

because nursing is typically such a physically demanding job, let

alone getting through nursing school, but my husband (a nurse

practitioner) says that I shouldn't worry so much about it, because

there are plenty of jobs in nursing that are easy on the feet/legs,

and I have every right to request accomodations (like a stool for

watching procedures) in nursing school. (I'm still in school, and

hope to be starting clinicals in the summer.) I'm just studying as

hard as I can and praying that things work out.