A number of midfoot ailments or deformities can occur due to various reasons. If not treated early, these ailments can adversely impact the functioning of the foot and cause severe discomfort to the patient. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide advanced treatments for midfood ailments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations.
Acquired Adult Flatfoot Deformity
AAFD is a progressive flattening of the arch of the foot. It occurs when the posterior tibial tendon becomes inadequate. In the initial stages, the problem may cause pain along the tendon. If left untreated, it may cause advanced deformity and arthritis throughout the ankle and hindfoot.
Flat Feet
The normal structure of the human foot is three dimensional along with arches. One arch is aligned from heel to toes, and the second is aligned across the foot. An individual with flat foot would have both arches at a lower level. Normal flat feet are painless, do not cause movement restriction and are symmetric. However, pathological flat feet will usually present some symptoms.
High Arches
Feet with high arches can cause problems just as feet with low arches. A high arch is also known as a cavus foot, and may be present in a child but noticed only in adulthood. People with high arches are prone to overuse injuries during exercise and sports because their feet cannot act as good shock absorbers. Sufficient amount of foot does not touch the ground to create support for walking.
Lisfranc Injury
This injury involves the ligaments and joints of the middle of the foot. It may occur due to a slip, fall or an accident. Sometimes the Listfranc injury gets mistaken for a sprain. If proper diagnosis and treatment is not made, it can lead to complex problems. The extent of injury can range from minor to severe. Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler are board certified orthopedic surgeons receiving patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas for midfood treatments.
Progressive Flatfoot (Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction)
Posterior tibial tendon is one of the most important lower leg tendons. It helps to hold up the arch and provides support as a person steps off on the toes when walking. Inflammation, tearing or overstretching of this tendon can cause pain in the inner ankle and gradually lead to the loss of the inner arch on the bottom of the foot, leading to flatfoot.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that attacks multiple joints. Nine out of 10 people with RA eventually develop symptoms related to the ankle and foot. The symptoms usually appear in the forefeet and toes first, then in the hindfeet or the back of the feet, and lastly in the ankles.
Stress Fracture
A small crack in the bone is called a stress fracture. It is usually a result of overuse and is commonly associated with increase in activity. Weight bearing bones of the legs most commonly sustain stress fractures. When these bones are subjected to a new stress, such as a new exercise regimen, they crack under pressure due to lack of adaptation.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9394