The posterior tibial tendon is the ligament that supports and creates the arch at the bottom of your foot. This ligament goes from the bottom of your calf muscle, along the inside of your leg, to your foot bones to provide support and stability when walking.
We all have different arch types, and they are classified into three: normal arches, high arches, and flat feet. Determining your feet’s arch type will help you identify your options to support and improve your arch support. Let’s take a look at these types of arches and what can be done to help you maintain a healthy foot arch.
Foot Arch Types
Our feet can have arches that are low (or flat), normal, or high:
Low Arch/Flat Feet
People with flat feet have an arch that is very low or flat on the ground when you stand up. Your foot may roll inward when you walk or stand. Because the posterior tibial tendon is not supporting the leg muscles properly, you may suffer from muscle stress and joint problems in the legs and feet.
Medium Arch/Normal Arch
A medium or normal arch serves as flexible and efficient foot support. This type of arch helps in supporting your body weight and posture properly to help prevent foot pain of any kind.
High Arch
When your foot has quite an upward curve in the middle, you have a high arch in your feet. This foot type brings excessive pressure to the front and back of your feet.
How to Improve Arch Support
There are a couple of easy ways in which you can provide arch support for your feet:
Wear Supportive Shoes
By determining your foot arch type, you can choose the right shoes. It is essential to select footwear that will provide sufficient support and comfort:
- For flat feet, you’d want to choose shoes with firm and thickly cushioned soles, plus lacing (or top support) that restricts movement within the shoes to keep your foot in place.
- For individuals with a normal arch, shoes with firm, thick soles and excellent cushioning are necessary. It is vital to keep your heel stable at the back of the shoe and not let it wobble.
- For high arch feet types, you need shoes with extra cushioning to relieve your feet from the uneven pressure points. High arch supports are an excellent option for helping your feet absorb the impact while you stand, walk, or run.
Use Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are prescription medical shoe inserts that are specially shaped to correct your foot issues. These inserts are slipped into your shoes to help alleviate foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis, arthritis, or diabetes.
Podiatrists in Cincinnati, Ohio
The medical team at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care is here to serve all of your foot care needs. With 18 locations across southwest Ohio, you’re sure to be close to one of our clinics. Our team is dedicated to providing services from foot and ankle surgery to custom orthotics and wound care.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a skilled podiatrist, call our location near you or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!
