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Courtesy of University Sports Medicine
www.ubsportsmed.buffalo.edu
WHAT IS ARCH PAIN?
There are two arches in your foot. The longitudinal arch runs the length of
your foot, and the transverse arch runs across the width of your foot. The
arches are made up of ligaments, which keep the bones of your foot in
place. Arch pain can occur in one or both arches, but occurs most
commonly in the longitudinal arch.
HOW DOES IT OCCUR?
Arch pain most often occurs as a result of overuse in activities such as
running, hiking, walking, and jumping. People who have flat feet, or people
whose feet flatten and roll inward (called "over pronation") are more prone
to arch pain. Arch pain usually comes on slowly. However, it can occur
suddenly if the ligaments are torn or stretched during a forceful activity
such as sprinting or jumping.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The symptom is pain along the arch of the foot
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will examine your foot for pain and tenderness along the arch.
HOW IS ARCH PAIN TREATED?
You should place ice packs on your arch for 20 to 30
minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days until the
pain goes away. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-
inflammatory medication.
Your arch needs extra support. Taping your arch, or
using an extra arch support in your shoe may give
you the support you need. Your doctor may prescribe
custom made arch supports called orthotics.
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY SPORT OR ACTIVITY?
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your
sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you
return too soon, you may worsen your injury, which
could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers
at a different rate.
Return to your sport or activity will be determined by
how soon your foot recovers, not by how many days
or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred.
In general, the longer you have symptoms before you
start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.
You may safely return to your sport or activity when,
starting from the top of the list and progressing to
the end, each of the following is true:
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- You have full range of motion in the injured foot
compared to the uninjured foot
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- You have full strength of the injured foot compared
to the uninjured foot
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- You can jog straight ahead without pain or limping
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- You can sprint straight ahead without pain or
limping
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- You can do 45 degree cuts, first at half speed, then
at full speed
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- You can do 20 yard "figure eights", first at half
speed, then at full speed
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- You can do 90 degree cuts, first at half speed, then
at full speed
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- You can do 10 yard "figure eights", first at half
speed, then at full speed
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- You can jump on both feet without pain, and you
can jump on the injured foot without pain
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HOW CAN I PREVENT ARCH PAIN?
Arch pain can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit
properly and that have proper arch support.
Stretching your feet and arches before your activity
will also help prevent this injury. You may need to
wear orthotics. Some people need to wear orthotics
all the time, and others wear them only during their
sport or activity.
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