Do You Overpronate? Check Your Shoes!

If you are a dedicated runner, you may very well be educated on overpronation. For the average person though, this common foot problem is often unheard of but may be the cause for present foot pain.

How do I know if I overpronate?

When patients come into our office at Capital District Podiatry, one of the tools we use when diagnosing foot pain is to look at their shoes. Noting where shoes get worn down can offer clues to why there may be foot pain or help in preventing problems from occurring in the future.

Overpronation happens when your foot rolls inward at each strike on the ground while walking. If this is occurring, your shoes will often show more wear on the inner side than the outer. If you were to put your shoes on a flat surface, they may even tilt inward. Many people have this common foot problem and don’t even realize it. This condition is very prominent in people with fallen arches, or flat feet.

What should I do?

If a quick diagnostic inquiry shows that this is happening and you have no foot pain or problems, it may be of benefit to make a few changes. Choosing shoes with a straighter sole and designed for stability and motion control will best support a foot that overpronates.

This abnormal leaning inward of the foot and ankle could pose a problem over time as the structure of the foot can become compromised. Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and metatarsalgia are common problems associated with this foot condition. If you have foot pain, it is best to seek an accurate diagnosis so your feet get the treatment they deserve. We find that our patients often benefit greatly from using a pair of custom orthotic inserts in their shoes.

We are available to help in any way that we can – call Dr. Tejas Pandya today if you are concerned about an overpronation problem. We have two convenient locations to serve you in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to get help today!