PTTD: Falling Arches
What is PTTD? It stands for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction... falling arches. Or another name is Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity. It's when the arch at the inside of the foot starts to sag. This is a condition that usually causes pain at some point.
This is much different than being born with a flatfoot or growing up with flatfeet. That's a whole other story.
This issue develops in the middle stage of life, starting with a foot that has an arch, but then gradually flattens.
The foot flattens because a very important tendon, the Posterior Tibial Tendon, starts to fray and loose strength. This usually causes pain along the inside of the ankle or foot. If the pain and slowly sagging arch are left untreated, permanent damage could occur, resulting with permanent deformity and chronic pain.
Too often fear of a doctor (White Coat Syndrome) delays intervention, leading to increased pain.
Recognizing this overuse injury isn't difficult but often comes too late. People tolerate or ignore foot and ankle pain frequently, assuming it is normal to have sore feet. Delayed recognition and diagnosis of this overuse injury occurs frequently.
That's why it is important to be in touch with your body's pain signals and seek help when something doesn't feel right after a couple weeks. If it doesn't get better quickly, get some help. It won't be as bad as you think.
Sohl Foot & Ankle will guide you to recovery and help prevent the worst late stage effects of this progressive injury.
Request your podiatry appointment at Sohl Foot & Ankle