Your feet are the foundation of your body, and like a house, if the foundation isn’t great, the rest of the home will suffer. It can be easy to develop an alignment issue in your feet that causes problems in your ankles, knees, hip and spine. But what are some of the signs of an alignment issue in your feet, and more importantly, how can you fix this problem before it snowballs to other areas of your body? In today’s blog, we spotlight some of the signs that suggest your feet may be out of a healthy alignment.
Signs Of Misaligned Feet
We all have different gaits and stride patterns, so even though their is no uniform walking pattern, there are still some ways to tell that your feet be be misaligned or out of a healthy alignment. Some of those signs include:
- Uneven wear on the bottom of your shoes.
- Foot numbness or tingling sensation.
- Frequent slips, trips or falls.
- Lower body joint pain, as these areas may be compensating for a foot alignment issue.
- Abnormal walking pattern, like walking with a limp or a hitch in your step.
If you’re dealing with any of the above signs, especially if you’re dealing with physical symptoms like pain or numbness, it’s imperative that you connect with a foot and ankle specialist. The sooner you work to correct this misalignment, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective.
Treating Foot Alignment Issues
There are several ways treat foot alignment issues, but first it’s essential to figure out the root cause of your issue. Treatment will vary based on this underlying cause, so your foot specialist will work to determine if your issue is caused by your natural foot shape (high arches, flat feet, etc.), injury, degenerative changes in the foot, a genetic issue, poor-fitting footwear or some other cause. Your doctor will uncover this cause by talking with you about your symptoms, conducting a physical exam and potentially ordering imaging tests to get a closer look at the inside of your feet and ankles.
Again, your specific treatment regimen will be determined by your underlying cause and some individual factors, but common treatment methods that are used to correct foot alignment issues include:
Physical Therapy – PT works to strengthen underdeveloped foot and ankle muscles that may be contributing to the alignment problem.
Supportive Shoes – Switching to a more supportive shoe can correct issues caused by an ill-fitting shoe and also promote improved foot muscle strengthening and function.
Orthotic Inserts – Similarly, an orthotic insert can help to make any shoe a bit more supportive and work to correct alignment deficiencies.
Weight Loss – Weight loss can take stress off your feet, which may be the biggest threat to your foot alignment.
Surgery – In rare cases, surgery may be used to address degenerative joint issues or bone problems that are affecting your balance and foot alignment.
If you’re feeling unsteady on your feet or suspect that your knee or back pain could be tied to an issue in your feet, don’t wait any longer to seek out help. Connect with a foot and ankle specialist and learn how to strengthen the foundation of your body. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.