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International Surgery and Ortho Conference
October 25-26, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
Case Rep Surg Invasive Proced 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 3
The role of foot orthoses and flexible flatfoot
Sarah A Curran
Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences- Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK
Statement of the Problem:
Flexible flatfoot is reported to affect
up to 23% of the adult population and is a condition treated
by many health professionals with an interest in the foot and
ankle. Flexible flatfoot is characterised by a reduction in the
height of the medial longitudinal arch along with eversion of
the rearfoot. From a functional perspective, a flexible flatfoot
does not provide support and stability of the foot during
the propulsive phase of stance. Failing to achieve dynamic
stabilisation compromises the counteraction and influence of
ground reaction forces as well as the adaption to the supporting
surface.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
Pain and symptoms
proximally to the foot, an awareness of a flexible flatfoot and
reports of fatigue are the typical triggers for patients to seek
advice from a health professional. Whilst non-responsive and
extreme cases can be treated surgically, flexible flatfoot is
typically managed conservatively, with much of the literature
focused on prevention. Foot orthoses – which can range from
a simple device, to a mild contoured device and a fully bespoke
manufactured CAD-CAM device, are commonly used in flexible
flatfoot. Although the mechanism of action of foot orthoses is
continuously debated by many, it is suggested that they act to
control kinematic foot function and reduce plantar pressures.
However, in contrast, the therapeutic value of foot orthoses for
flexible flatfoot are not well explored, and there is a need to
direct studies that explore patient centred outcomes with focus
on fatigue and pain.
Conclusion & Significance: Although the complexity of foot and
lower limb function is acknowledged, and whilst foot orthoses
for flexible flatfoot may be functionally beneficial, there is a
need to focus on the therapeutic response.
Speaker Biography
Sarah A Curran is a Reader and Principal Lecturer at the Wales Centre for Podiatric
Studies, Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University.
She teaches at Undergraduate and Post-graduate level on various disciplines. She
has held a number of editorships, published widely and presented at national and
international conferences. She holds a number of fellowships and was awarded a
prestigious National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy in
2016. Her research and enterprise activities are symbiotic to the creation of practice
protocols that have relevance to clinical teaching. She has a particular interest in foot
function, patellofemoral joint pain, limb dominance and post-operative outcomes
of foot surgery and foot orthoses intervention. She works collaboratively locally and
worldwide with various health professionals and disciplines in Brazil, Iran, Ireland and
the USA.
e:
scurran@cardiffmet.ac.uk