Foot arches come in all different shapes and sizes. These natural arches make it easier for our feet to handle the stress that we put on them with every step we take, but like any area of our body they are not immune from injury or degeneration. One spot where people oftentimes develop discomfort is along the inner side of their foot arch. What’s causing this discomfort, and more importantly, how is it best treated? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.
Causes Of Inner Arch Pain
Pain along the inner arch area can develop for a few different reasons, not all of which are preventable. Here’s a look at some of the most common underlying issues that may be contributing to your inner arch pain.
Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis involves an inflammatory issue with the thick band of tissue that runs along the underside of your foot that connects your heels to your toes. Pain can develop anywhere along this path, but for many it is most noticeable along the inner side of their foot arch.
Gait Problems – Natural gait problems or underlying issues that affect your gait can also lead to inner arch pain. The most common gait style that can lead to inner arch pain is overpronation, when your foot turns inwards as you walk. This can cause your arch to flatten, which ends up putting more stress on the soft tissues your arch typically supports, increasing your risk of pain along the inner arch area.
Fallen Arches – Similarly, if your arches start to fall for other reasons, like acute injury or degeneration from the natural aging process, you too may find that you develop some mild to moderate discomfort along your inner arch.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction – A final contributing condition that we want to mention is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is categorized by inflammation or tearing of the tendon that supports your foot arch. Left unresolved, it can lead to pain and instability anywhere along the foot arch.
Treating Inner Arch Pain
Inner arch pain tends to respond well to targeted treatment, but it’s imperative that you understand the root cause of your discomfort, because exact treatments will differ. However, most of the above conditions respond well to a combination of the following treatments:
- Short-term rest/Activity avoidance
- Physical therapy
- Targeted stretching
- Orthotic inserts
- Changing to a more supportive shoe
Aside from these treatments, you can work to strengthen your foot arch and keep problematic stress off of it by pursuing regular exercise and working towards or maintaining a healthy weight.