No one has straight legs, but knock knees and bowed legs greatly impact how the feet strike the ground.
Something as simple as bowing of the legs (Tibial varum) can add indescribable amounts of wear and tear to our bodies over the years. Very often our patients are unaware of the condition yet upon watching themselves walk are horrified to see the amount of effect this has on their supporting muscles and architecture of the feet and legs. When we comment on the heavy wear on the outside of the sole of the shoes are many patients are convinced that they roll outwards when walking.
When we transition from walking to running the foot begins to strike the ground in a more inverted position this combined with tibial varum can create dramatic angles producing some of the commonly occurring running overuse injuries like shin splints.
As usual with the human body, it can compensate for structural abnormalities by continuing to function seemingly effortlessly. When managing conditions like this not only is it important to diagnose the underlying condition but to determine the body’s ability to compensate and whether that ability is now failing. Neglecting to treat this condition WILL accelerate wear on the knees, hips, and aggravate already existing conditions.
The same individual may demonstrate a highly arched, inverted foot on one limb and a completely flat collapsed foot on the opposite side. In a situation like this having ruled out neurological diseases, limb length differences, and trauma to name a few possibilities it is most likely that the muscles providing stability and balance have become overwhelmed. These conditions despite having similar origins clearly require completely different management plans. Failure to do this can overtreat one foot or fail to arrest the deterioration of the other.
Clear video gait analysis (Pedi Gait) is not necessary to diagnose a curvature in the lower leg, it is vital in identifying the subtle difference in the body’s ability to compensate and use that information to better understand and treat.
In our practices in Mississauga Podiatry associates and Brantford Podiatry associates, we find that the more informed and educated patients are regarding their condition the better the success of their chosen treatment regimes. Not to mention most people find it fascinating to discover how their bodies function visually and it allows us to monitor progress and function over time, especially in growing bodies.
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