A high arch foot is usually a rigid foot and referred to as a supinated foot. Supination is often a bit harder to treat than is pronation. Because the supinated foot is rigid, it is less 'cooperative' when it comes to the use of pads or supports. Supinated feet are often associated with peroneal tendon problems and sprained ankles.
Supination - treatment options
In my previous blog post, I spoke about the frontal plane deformity known as pronation. Pronation refers to the flattening of the arch. Supination, on the other hand, is a foot that has a high arch. A high arch foot is usually a rigid foot and referred to as a supinated foot. Supination is often a bit harder to treat than is pronation. Because the supinated foot is rigid, it is less 'cooperative' when it comes to the use of pads or supports. Supinated feet are often associated with peroneal tendon problems and sprained ankles.
Supination - lateral sole wedges and heel wedges
There are two categories of products that we use to treat supination. Those categories include lateral sole wedges and heel wedges.
Example of our lateral sole wedge includes the following -
Heel wedges are that secret little tool that is often overlooked when treating supination. Yup, these are the same heel wedges that we recommended for the treatment of pronation. Ah, but smart blog reader, you're already a step ahead of me when you guessed what we do with heel wedges to treat supination. We simply put them in the other side of the heel. So to treat a supinated foot, the heel wedge would be used under the outer edge of the heel effectively limiting the ability of the heel to roll out (supinate)
Examples of heel wedges include -
Remember, treating pronation and supination isn't an absolute science. For each shoe and for each activity that you're involved in, there may be a different product or application of a product. If you have any questions, be sure to contact us for support.
Jeff
Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM
Medical Advisor
Myfootshop.com
Updated 12/27/19
Placement of the wedge, either rear foot or forefoot depends upon what you're trying to treat. With the supinated foot that you describe, a medial wedge on the heel and the forefoot may be just the perfect solution. But let's say you're supinating too far. As an example, it's not uncommon to see peroneal tendonitis in a supinated foot. I've even seen peroneal tendonitis occur in high arch fee that are treated with a rigid orthotic, really supinating an already high arch. In those cases, it's really all about where the pathology is. And a lateral sole wedge or laterally placed heel wedge would be the solution.
In your case, the medial wedges are going to bring you to a 'neutral position' for your foot. With no lateral ankle or foot pain, that's a good way to treat your supinated foot.
Does that make sense?
Jeff
Dr. Jeffrey Oster
Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM
Medical Director
Myfootshop.com
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