steps-charity.org.uk

[robs]

Hi
I was born with quite severe talipes 35 years ago. I think I had about seven operations across both legs, combined with manipulation treatment. I guess the treatment was still in its early days in the mid to late 70s and surgeons were still finding their way. There was a boy a year or two ahead of me in school who either had not received the treatment or it had not been successful. I was lucky.

From the age of 12 nothing held me back and I have been very active, enjoying a lot of sport and a full range of activities.

I sought out this website because over the last six months I have been experiencing pain in my ankles after and increasingly during exercise. Having visited a GP and now a Physio it is something I wish I had done ten years ago. As much as I have tried to ignore the fact, I don’t have normal feet. That my right foot overpronates is an understatement, my left underpronates to the same degree. It is really obvious, but it is only recently after having problems that this has been explained to me. The way my feet are increases the wear and tear on my ankles and has done for the last thirty odd years. The Physio made me laugh when he said that I had “the ankles of a professional athlete”; except I have a desk job and nothing close to the physique, except maybe in a certain light.

I guess there are two things I would like to say, and I thank you for your indulgence.

Firstly, I have very tight achilles and worn ankles. I’m assuming that these must be fairly common symptoms for people who have had similar treatment to me and who are of a similar age. Although a little late to the game I have started to use orthotics but would be very interested in learning about any treatments that have helped with the pain and have improved matters, please.

Secondly, if the parents who may be using the other boards stray onto this one, then please understand that your child will be fine. They don’t know any different and only by treating them differently will a distinction be made. Please do though speak to a Podiatrist and sneak insoles into their otherwise normal shoes so they get used to wearing them. When they are in their forties they will thank you for it.
Thanks
Rob

[ZoeandRich]

Hi ya Rob,

I'm also 35, was born with uni-lateral talipes and had multiple operations (have just sent a letter off to find out what via medical documents).

I joined the Army at 16 years of age, they tried to medically discharge me but I broke down and explained its all I wanted to do, the Army being as it was in those days let me stay on. I completed a years training and as a junior and went to Battalion.

Cut a long story short I went away completed my Commando Course and Physical Instructors Training Course, I boxed, played Rugby, Football, Tri-ahlons etc etc, however at 32 I was in Wales completing a long jaunt with kit that night my ankle became hot and really stiff, the following morning I took a heavy dose of painkillers and cracked on, this went on for 10 months I was constantly running 30 milers with kit and would always carry painkillers to mask the pain.

Again at 33 I ended up on crutches and not being able to dorsiflex my ankle, went for X-Rays etc and had degeneration of the navicular joint so now i'm out the game slightly. I still compete in fitness competitions but days of high mileage running are over.

As for orthotics I have tried countless amounts, I pronate quite badly lack calf muscle therefore plantarflexion have no inversion or eversion therefore lack in strength in these areas, lack dorsiflexion and am starting to notice knee instability as well. I try to complete squats and dead lifts, step ups to keep the leg as strong as possible, also have a lax ACL in the same knee.

Sorry for the ramblings just trying to get as much information down as possible, I am gutted I can't do high impact exercise but thankful i've made the most out of the function of the leg I was given.

[robs]

Hi Rich

That's a powerful story. You really have not let anything stop you. When I was about 16 I remember doing a 26mile walk and I could barely move for the next two days!
I stayed away from that kind of endurance but played a lot of Rugby and still play lots of tennis. It is the amount tennis that has really aggravated and brought things along but it is not in the same scale as the effort you describe. I am not familiar with some of the terminology you are using so I have some research to do. I have the feeling that it may come in handy.

I take it you only started to use orthotics later down the line?
When you say you have tried countless amounts are all these through the NHS or have you tried some of the private Podiatrist services as well?
I have not had any made specifically for me yet, I am literally about to arrange an appointment so would be very interested in your experience here w/ pros and cons.

Thanks for the reply. It is really appreciated.
Rob

[ZoeandRich]

Rob,

Apologies for the terminology, google it as it is fairly easy movements to regarding the foot, dorsiflexion is simply lifting the toes to the shin which when you walk is the ankle doing the same movement if this is restricted then over time with high impact exercise will cause possibly arthritis, likewise look up inversion and eversion but these again if these movements are restricted it can over time cause injury.

As for orthotics the ones I recieved from the NHS were useless and not designed for exercise (made from solid plastic), this may have changed but can't see it. If you are Mdlands based I can give you a number to someone I can recommend, he is an enthusiastic runner and great knowledge on gait assessments, my e-mail is riche16@hotmail.co.uk. Get in touch if you're interested.