At ICON Medical Center we have started to fabricate custom
made foot orthoses using our AMFIT foot scanner and computerized orthotic
carving machine. The benefits of manufacturing this way is that all devices are
made for each individual rather than being a generic design. We can accommodate
many types of foot problems such as plantar fasciitis (Pain in the heel),
metatarsalgia (pain in the forefoot), hammer toes and hallux valgus. The most
prevalent problem in Qatar is flat foot.
Around 10% of the population have flat feet,
and for the most part this doesn't cause any problem, however, due to the
bio mechanical aspects of flat feet, the condition tends to be progressive and
get worse as we get older. The second important point is that flat feet also
affect the alignment of the knees, hips and lower back, leading to knee and
back pain as well as foot pain in later life.
Children with flat feet often have problems
participating in sports, they sometimes see themselves as being “un-athletic,”
which means that they can become sedentary.
Its important that children who have flat
feet see a professional who can assess their feet and provide them with
orthoses that can realign their feet and lower limbs, which has a threefold
benefit:
- Improved lifestyle, increased efficiency means that the child has more energy to participate and less fatigue
- Better alignment means that the chances of progression are reduced so is developing deformity of the knees, hips and lower back.
- Reduced incidence of pain and discomfort Catching children early before the age of seven years has the greatest benefit, but obviously any age will give long term benefits. Adults with flat feet, might be asymptomatic now, but it’s likely that unless action is taken to prevent progression the patient will develop joint problems and pain in middle age.
