The popular children’s song “Dem Bones” illustrates in a very simplified fashion how everything is connected in the human body. The following verses illustrate what I’m talking about:
“The toe bone’s connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!
The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!”
And so it goes on upwards and upwards. While these descriptions may not be the most anatomically correct, it does highlight this key concept: What happens in the foot can indirectly affect multiple areas higher up in the body.
One area of medicine that separates podiatrists from the rest of the medical community is our thorough understanding of proper foot mechanics and function. This knowledge is crucial in how we treat you as a patient. Depending on the nature of your visit, we will assess the biomechanical functionality of your feet by watching you walk, examining your feet and ankles as you stand, and other tests to better identify potential problem areas. Many of these problems are so subtle that only a trained eye can detect them. Once we understand what is going on, we create custom fit orthotics designed to correct and reduce any biomechanical abnormalities.
So what are orthotics? Orthotics are shoe inserts that have been molded to fit your feet in a manner that provides support, and either increases or decreases motion where needed. Simply stated, orthotics allow your feet to function properly which can potentially alleviate pain not only in the feet but also higher up in the body, such as knee pain or even low back pain.
If you suffer from aching feet, ankles, or even painful knees and low back, there is potential your feet are the culprit. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay C. Larson at Sole Foot and Ankle Specialists in Glendale, Arizona.