It’s the age-old debate: barefoot and natural, or supportive footwear. When you have pain in your feet, especially along your arch (pain may be sharp shooting pain or feel achy and sore) supporting your foot may be the solution.

What do we mean by arch support?

There are three arches in your feet. We predominantly focus on the MLA – medial longitudinal arch on the inside of the foot. There are two other arches that are important to discuss. You have the LLA – lateral longitudinal arch along the outside of the foot and the transverse arch across the front of the foot that supports the toes – more commonly referred to as the ball of the foot.

An orthotic or a properly fit shoe with built-in support can relieve the stress placed on these structures by allowing them to rest and offload the area, putting the pressure into other areas of the foot better suited to supporting weight-bearing positions.

When do you need support?

You may feel like you’re walking on a bruise or having sharp shooting pain along the ball of the foot. Callusing in that area may also indicate increased pressure that needs to be addressed. Most often these conditions at the ball of the foot are referred to as metatarsalgia unless a more specific condition is present such as a bunion or bunionette; a smaller bunion on the baby toe or the 5th toe.

In the MLA, there may be burning sensations, tightness, tingling, a deep ache or a stretching feeling; even heel pain can be a sign that the medial arch of the foot needs support. This particular condition called Plantar Fasciitis involves the tearing and recovery of the plantar fascia, a supportive structure that runs from the heel to the toes but is not meant to overstretch. At night when we rest, the fascial tissue heals in a shortened position, and upon weight bearing again is re-traumatized, causing pain and pulling at the heel.

The same may be happening on the outside edge of the foot; achiness and cramping are often found on the lateral side of the foot when more pressure is being placed in that area. A hypermobile foot may also cause strain on the lateral column as it struggles to stabilize the foot through the gait cycle.

Cramping in the feet at night can indicate that the muscles and structures of the feet are working overtime to support you while you’re up and about during the day and need help through support.

A plantar fibroma is a knot or nodule of fibrous tissue that develops in the arch of the foot. They can develop in one or both feet and can be painful to walk on. They can also cause a change in the way you walk, which can put abnormal strain on your body’s joints and soft tissues.

This common growth is usually singular, although multiple nodules are possible in the same foot. The mid-arch region of the foot is the most common location for plantar fibromas to develop, though they can appear anywhere along the underside of your foot. Plantar fibromas are typically slow growing but with time can impair your ability to walk comfortably or wear shoes.

Cause of plantar fibroma in the foot

Researchers and physicians are still unsure about the underlying cause of plantar fibromas, though many believe there is a genetic component involved. Other possible contributing factors include poor footwear (high heels), a pre-existing health disease or medications.

Treatment for plantar fibroma in the foot

Conservative treatment can help reduce the pain and discomfort. Some of the most common non-surgical approaches to treating plantar fibromas include:

• Properly fitted footwear
• Orthotics to take the pressure off of the fibroma
• Cortisone injections by our Chiropodist to manage pain and decrease fibroma size

Surgery to remove the plantar fibroma is a last resort as it causes the arch to flatten, and fibromas can recur.