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3 Replies Last post: Jun 26, 2007 9:06 AM by AbbyR  
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AbbyR
2 posts since
Jun 23, 2007
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Jun 23, 2007 11:28 AM

Born with bad foot - want to walk/run

I was born with a club foot. I'm now over 50, and really need to start/continue with a walking and running program for my health. I have no arch in the right foot at all, and sometimes the foot swells and hurts when I walk. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the pain and move?

When I was younger, I was told I could have surgery when I was grown. When I went back to the doctor as an adult, he said surgery would not help.

Any ideas or suggestions?
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maplefly
138 posts since
Feb 9, 2007
1. Jun 23, 2007 4:44 PM in response to: AbbyR
Re: Born with bad foot - want to walk/run
Perhaps a physiotherapist could help you understand your particular biomechanics? Maybe custom orthotics could help in combination with the right shoes. Sorry I can't offer anything more. I know what it's like to worry that you can't run because of something congenital. I was born with a slight pectus and have to always be aware of that so that I don't injure myself (the friction can cause inflammation).

Best of luck to you!

~ Fly

------------------
"The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat."
- Bill Squires
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ForceD
523 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Jun 26, 2007 8:44 AM in response to: AbbyR
Re: Born with bad foot - want to walk/run
I copied this from the RUNNER'S WORLD UK website. It looks like the physiotherapist that maplefly suggest is the way to go.
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=2181[/URL" target="_blank">

Q+A: Will my club foot hold me back?
By Nicki de Leon

Q: After watching friends complete a half-marathon, I want to join in the fun. I am 32, 5ft 3in tall, I weigh almost 10 stone and I was born with a club foot, which has been operated on several times. I have limited movement in my ankle, which has been made easier in recent months by wearing an orthotic. Can I run, or would it lead to injury?

A: As a congenital club foot involves your foot being held in a plantaflexed and inverted position (pointed down and turned in), it has the potential to alter your walking and running biomechanics (gait pattern). For example, you may have noticed that when walking, you lock your knee back as you try to compensate for the lack of ankle movement, or your push-off from that foot is significantly weaker than the other side. Any deviation away from the ?norm? could be placing unnecessary strain not only through your legs, but up to your pelvis and back, all of which could make you extremely susceptible to injury.
If you already run short distances and have not experienced any symptoms, you may want to consider gradually building up your mileage and completing short races such as 5Ks and 10Ks with your friends first.

If you have never run before, arrange for a chartered physiotherapist to assess and analyse your current walking and running style and advise you accordingly. From this they should be able to devise an appropriate rehabilitation programme for you to optimise your biomechanics and minimise the stresses and strains being placed on your body.

There are alternative sports, such as swimming and cycling, that you could get involved in with your friends while your running evolves. There are triathlons, for example, where you compete as part of a team with each member of the team completing one discipline. Have a look on www.britishtriathlon.org[/URL" target="_blank"> to find out which triathlons allow team entries.


?Nicki de Leon, physiotherapist and Clinical Director at Sports and Spinal Clinics (Moorgate)
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AbbyR
2 posts since
Jun 23, 2007
3. Jun 26, 2007 9:06 AM in response to: AbbyR
Re: Born with bad foot - want to walk/run
Thanks so much. Now if I can just find an appropriate physiotherapist - I live in southeast Arkansas and we are not overrun with doctors and/or specialists.

Again, thanks. I would never have thought someone else would have had exactly the same problem!
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