A progressing deteriorating of a flat foot or fallen arch of the foot in an adult is oftentimes known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction as well as adult acquired flatfoot and may have problematic consequences if not detected early and sorted out. This is often more frequent in older in addition to obese adults. The key issue is that the posterior tibial muscles which are the reason for supporting the arch of the feet are not very good at doing that, and so a gradual flattening of the foot occurs. In addition to a falling with the arch of the foot there is typically increasing pain and discomfort in the arch area of the foot and the rearfoot. As the adult acquired flat foot progresses, further walking gets increasingly tougher and it is extremely tireing.
There are actually commonly 4 stages involving posterior tibial tendon dysfunction that this problem progresses through with one being the initial phase and 4 being the final phase that only surgical treatment can deal with. There is certainly some difference of opinion with the classifications of this as their is variability between health professionals plus some reliability concerns. That being said, stage 1 is typically treated with foot supports along with exercises plus some medication for the pain and discomfort. Stage 2 usually needs a lot more aggressive and supportive foot orthoses, carrying on using the exercise routines as well as increasing levels of pain alleviation medicines may be required. Both stage one and two will benefit with high top supporting shoes. Long-term weight loss plans will also be going to be helpful. If this doesn’t stop the development and the foot is heading in the direction of a stage three, then there’s increasing probability that reconstructive foot surgery is likely to be needed. This is the reason it is so crucial that there be more intense conservative treatment of the foot when it’s still at stage 2 to halt the development.
An increasingly frequent treatment for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction while it progresses to stage two is the Richie Brace. This Richie Brace is now being commonly used and it has been demonstrated to be very effective at stopping the progress with this problem and avoiding the requirement for surgical treatment. Surgical interventions tend to be successful, but there is frequently a left over measure of impairment remaining as the surgery usually will require the fusing of some important joints and also the moving of muscles insertions to other parts of the foot. The Richie brace is a combination of an aggressively supportive bespoke foot orthotic plus an ankle foot orthoses with struts to support both sides of the joints at the ankle. The bespoke foot orthoses is made from a plaster cast or optical scan of the foot with the foot kept in a ideal position. The aim of the foot orthotic portion of the Richie Brace would be to try and support the foot in this corrected position. The struts which get included up the side of the ankle are hinged with the ankle joint to allow motion to happen at this joint. These struts are then held on by Velcro on the leg to help support and enhance the benefit of the foot orthotic. Generally if the progress of the problem can be ended making use of this, then surgery is commonly prevented.