Arch pain and foot over-pronation can cause issues for people of all ages and can even influence an athlete’s performance during every type of activity. Three causes of this type of pain may be surprising to some who aren’t aware of them. Most of the causes are easily averted, but several can be genetic. As recommended by the Cleveland Clinic, three of the easily averted causes for arch pain include poor selection of shoe style, improper fit, and insufficient arch support. These poor decisions can all cause painful foot disorders like bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. The Mayo Clinic has found that 2 of the hereditary foot disorders that can cause foot over-pronation and foot arch pain include flat feet or arches that are excessively high. Below we explain some foot procedures that treat these disorders and how each of them can be resolved.

Serious Foot Issues Can Occur Without Proper arch support

Some of the genetic foot disorders include either low arches or excessively high arches. Both arch problems can affect anyone, including athletes. The result of a low arch can be foot arch pain and foot over-pronation because this weakened part of the foot is not working as it should. When this foot area fails to support the body’s weight, overpronation occurs which can cause a heel spur, a bony protuberance in the heel. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove the boneprotrusion and relieve the dicomfort. The specialist will use a bone saw to cut away the bony protrusion to relieve the discomfort and ripped muscle tissue it had been causing. The best answer for treating both types of arch problems so heel spurs can be prevented is by giving the foot with appropriate arch support through orthotics.

When Bunion Removal Procedures are Necessary

Having a bunion removed, or a bunionectomy, is the process whereby the bone growth that appears to the side of the ball of the foot is filed away to achieve a more natural foot form and width. In the most serious cases where the big toe has begun to turn under the other toes, the podiatrist cuts a triangle-shaped portion out of the big toe’s bone to reset it to its original state. A single metal osteo screw is turned inside the bone to hold the new position in place. After about half a year, the screw can be taken out. Though this problem can be caused by pointed shoes, sometimes people are born with the tendency to form bunions. Podiatrists agree that shoes with little space force the toes into a crowded position can bring on bunions.

What Causes Hammertoes and How to Treat Them

Pointed-toe shoes and shoes that are too tight can also cause hammertoes. This problem can affect walkers and runners that wear tight shoes during exercise as well. Hammertoes are, sadly, difficult to fix without surgery. First, a podiatrist can try to tape the affected toe to try force it into a more normal shape. For this procedure to work, patients need to wear shoes with plenty of toe room. Hammertoes can return if improper shoes are worn again. If splinting the toe is unsuccessful, surgery is the lone alternative. The affected toe must have a section of the bone surgically removed to minimize its bend. The recovery period is vital, as patients who do not rest and elevate their feet as prescribed will not heal appropriately. The prevention for this condition is to wear properly-fitting shoes.

Regardless of lifestyle, genetic disposition, or age, foot disorders can happen to a large percentage of patients. Though foot procedures can surgically alleviate these disorders, most of the time they are never an issue if people wear well fitting shoes and proper arch support.