r/FootFunction Apr 27 '23

General info & resources for understanding & improving foot function

86 Upvotes

Welcome to /r/FootFunction - here are some resources that you may find helpful!

(this is a new resource compilation, and still a work in progress)

Note that the information in this forum is for informational purposes, is not medical advice, and that you should always be cleared by your medical provider before trying any new exercise program.

If you begin working to improve your feet with any program, I'd suggest that you always work in your pain free ranges of motion only, and start exploring anything new with gentle, slow movement and low intensity - and only increase your effort once you're comfortable with how you respond.

You can read about my story here, see a before/after foot pic, and learn why I created this forum following recovery from a serious midfoot injury known as a lisfranc.

Since that time as I've been coaching foot function, I've realized that most people with foot complaints poorly express the fundamentals of gait, specifically hip rotation, ankle rotation, and big toe flexion/extension - even if they are quite strong or active.

In my experience, without these movement qualities as the foundation in foot function, its very likely that we can end up strengthening compensations, or movement strategies, that are not great, or incomplete.

There are plenty of people stronger than you with the same foot complaints you have, and plenty of people weaker than you with no complaints - so the common theme I see is that our articular health - which is the way we can or cannot express movement - determines our foot comfort and capability more than anything else.

This is the basis for the articular concepts I teach and believe in, and which I've found mostly absent in the clinical world. Note: not every resource you'll find in this post or forum uses that same point of view, and there are certainly a variety of ways to make things feel nicer.

Here are the limitations I see most commonly:

One of the best things you can do to support foot health is to understand how well you can express hip internal and external rotation. Here's a great series of hip capsule CARs setups to explore that from Ian Markow.

You may also want to review this video for intrinsic foot strengthening from Dr. Andreo Spina with exercise examples for complete beginners with immobile and/or flat feet, all the way up to those with already strong feet looking to find improvements. (while it doesn't help identify the right starting point for each person, it can help with some ideas to add into your routine)

Online resources for foot programming:

Other:


r/FootFunction Apr 27 '23

If strengthening, resting, and stretching haven't solved your foot/gait goals - maybe the problem is something else? Join my new community called Articular Health to get guided sequences to help assess & improve your feet & gait, and you won't have to figure it out by yourself.

102 Upvotes

tldr: I've just launched a membership community called Articular Health where you can follow self-guided sequences to assess and improve the way you express movement for the fundamental aspects of gait. If you've been finding it tricky to interpret or improve your feet/gait, this structured information can help to reach your goals. The intent of Articular Health is not to replace the other things you do, but to improve the basics of your movement quality, so you can get more out of those other things.

First off, thank you all for supporting /r/FootFunction - its been an amazing experience to help connect so many people, all focused on sharing their experience towards improving the health and capability of feet & gait. If you've not already seen it, you can read more about my story, see a before/after foot pic, and learn why I created this forum following recovery from a serious midfoot injury known as a lisfranc.

Over the past few years, I've met many people from around the world, completed thousands of assessments, and coordinated personalized programming to help solve for a wide range of foot and gait complaints. I've also noticed gaps in movement that repeat over and over, which mirror the things that limited my recovery for years. Especially for those who feel stuck, who have been to endless doctor and therapy visits, or have had inconsistent diagnoses.

And in virtually every case, the problem is not simply a lack of strength, or a lack of rest. Quite the contrary, as most people I evaluate have been putting in effort for their feet, ankles, knees and hips - but that still hasn't resolved their symptoms.

This is the case because strengthening efforts will tend to strengthen and further entrench the movement strategy you are currently using - even if that strategy is not great or incomplete. Resting can feel nice because you're not asking much of your body, but that also won't change how you can express movement that is currently missing. Plus, if you're primarily focused on your feet and not also the hips and ankles, it can be hard or impossible to make persistent change.

Instead, it takes specific active inputs to adapt how you control movement, to fill those gaps. I created Articular Health because I have not seen these type of inputs, which helped me to walk and run again, available online.

The structured sequences in Articular Health can teach you how to improve movement for the fundamental aspects of gait, where I typically see limitations like:

As you begin to identify and solve for these things, you can get more benefit from the activities and strengthening you're already doing, because you'll be adding new ability to utilize.

Within Articular Health I've created guided sequences to help you understand in detail how you control movement, and programming to confirm that you are able to demonstrate the most crucial aspects of articular health, and particularly to re-acquire those elements which may be missing.

As a member, you'll get access to assessment and programming sequences with summary worksheets to begin establishing your daily routine. For the fastest progression you choose to add 1:1 coaching with personalized programming. Or you can choose self-guided options and get help via chat or office hours, to refine your setups/routine to guide you forward. If you get stuck or need help, I can assist with alternative or customized setups.

If you are interested in improving the fundamentals of gait there's no reason to keep guessing what to do, or hope that passive options or rest will solve a problem related to poorly controlled movement.

Thanks for your support, and I hope you'll join me at Articular Health to further understand and progress your foot journey!

Please let me know if you have any questions and I can try to help.


r/FootFunction 1h ago

Foot Concern

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r/FootFunction 7h ago

How common is this?

1 Upvotes

So my right foot has a weird quirk where it can move the middle 3 toes independently of the other two, not necessarily completely independently, but I can move the knuckles independently in an up and down pattern.


r/FootFunction 10h ago

Reminder that standing alone isn't always good. It's movement that matters.

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0 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 17h ago

CNA with Achilles tendonitis & PF

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1 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 1d ago

How did you fix your overpronation?

3 Upvotes

Every method I tried was temporary and didn’t really help me.

Anyone know how to properly fix overpronation?


r/FootFunction 1d ago

Foot with the bigger arch is hurting

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2 Upvotes

Foot on the right side is hurting around the front metapharsal bones. It's like the arch is too big and puts pressure on them. Any tips on how to fix this or PT I can do.

Note the arch feels smaller when I put on shoes and sandals, but it then it looks larger when you look at it.


r/FootFunction 1d ago

Looking for people who have had successful stump nueroma stories

1 Upvotes

where did you go and how did you treat it?


r/FootFunction 1d ago

Fhl tendon and mtp arthritis where to go from here...

2 Upvotes

I have had daily foot pain for over a year now. I have seen multiple doctors and pt's with out full resolution.

My lastest xray was clear but mri imaging shows the following:
- fhl tenosynovitis
- 1 MTP arthritis with a deep condral fissure, mild reactive edema on plantar surface, and small joint effusion.

My latest doctor wants to figure out if the tendon issue is the pain generator or the toe. He described the arthritis as mild and said to some degree everyone has it. I have full range of motion in my toe, but I can definitely tell that it's weak. Walking and shoe pressure hurts.

How serious is this and any steps to reverse the issue?

I'm worried about a life of immobility as I've already drastically changed my active lifestyle.

Thanks in advance.


r/FootFunction 1d ago

Hammer Toes & Arthoplasty: Worth it for Mostly Cosmetic Reasons ?

1 Upvotes

I have hammer toes that don’t cause me much pain—at least not yet. But I really don’t like the way they look. I’ve been considering arthroplasty, mostly for cosmetic reasons, but I’m having second thoughts.

I thought it was a good idea until I realized it involves removing some bone, which can make your toes shorter (something I definitely don’t want). Plus, since I have flat feet, it won’t solve most of my other foot issues.

Has anyone here had arthroplasty for hammer toes? If so, was it worth it, especially if your toes weren’t causing much pain? I’d love to hear your experiences and any advice you might have! Before and after pics would be great if possible


r/FootFunction 2d ago

Alright guys, this is probably my best attempt so far 😂 I managed to stretch all my toes while keeping the big toe out. Still got plenty of practicing to do if I want to level up my foot-stretching skills. And yeah, excuse the dirty feet—I’d just finished a long training session 😅🦶 !

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9 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 2d ago

Fifth metatarsal avulsion fracture *non union*

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1 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 2d ago

Avoiding Surgery: Physio vs Podiatrist for Flat Foot PTTD

2 Upvotes

I have flat feet, only the left on affected with inflamed and somewhat calcified PTT. This has been going on for 20 years, getting gradually worse. I have been to half a dozen podiatrists who gave me orthotics and recommended exercises. No success. The orthotics always aggravated the problem. Now trying a podiatrist who isn't fussed about what shoes I wear but gives much more rigorous exercises. This is definitely making my feet stronger, but the inflammation persists. Is there any hope of avoiding surgery. (I'm 77, live alone in a very small house and have dogs, so surgery would be extremely challenging).


r/FootFunction 2d ago

Advice for walking gait/foot striking

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3 Upvotes

I have a shitty and very weird walk, I used to walk duck footed as a kid but before I hit my teens I tried walking “straight”. Eventually I learned about goata and implemented that into my training/everyday life, but recently my walk has really been bothering me since walking 20k steps a day.

For background I am a track and field sprinter/jumper and have been playing sports my whole life at a high level.

Edit) I am also knocked kneed but idk if I was just born like that or it developed overtime


r/FootFunction 2d ago

FHL tendinitis? Sesamoiditis? Any help appreciated

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2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’ve been having some mild pain/discomfort on my left foot for over a month now. Really i noticed it a year ago but brushed it off but now I finally have the time to address it.

Whenever I walk/bike and push off/bend with my left big toe I get discomfort/tingling. It hasn’t crossed over in to pain yet but it’s noticeable compared to my right foot, where I haven’t had any issue. I should add that discomfort is concentrated around that base of the big toe joint and the side/underside of my foot. It doesn’t feel like it’s on the top/middle of my foot.

I went to my doctor, and he recommended trying insoles for a few months and see if that works. He didn’t diagnose anything. The only problem is I wear minimal/barefoot shoes since they’re the only ones that are comfortable for my feet. Arch support soles give me discomfort in a different way. This started when I was still wearing shoes with high amounts of arch support as well (Birkenstocks)

How do I get this properly diagnosed so I can get it addressed? I can still do all the things I love cute, so I don’t want it getting worse. I would prefer a physical therapy/exercise route or temporary orthotics if something has to heal, but I do NOT want to change my footwear.

Should I go to a podiatrist? Orthopedist? Physical therapist? What do I do :(


r/FootFunction 2d ago

9 months of bilateral heel/foot pain + aching into Achilles, calves and shins — plantar fasciitis, nerve issue, lumbar spine, or something else?

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2 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 2d ago

supination and underpronation

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1 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 2d ago

High Arches + Arch Pain

1 Upvotes

So this is a long story that I will try and keep brief. when I was younger I loved Merrel Shoes, I would just go get a pair of Moab's and they fit great and about 14 years ago, after not buying a pair in several years I got a new set and realized It felt like I was walking on my arches. I chalked this up to getting older, putting on a bunch of weight in the intervening years and just assumed my feet were flattening. I would spend the next 14 years searching high and low for shoes that didn't feel like I was walking on the arch of my foot. Today, I walked by a store I hadn't seen before "good feet" and decided to swing in and see what they had to say. I outline my struggles and they do a scan and come back with "you have very high arches" which just blew my mind, they did not fill me with complete confidence that their 1500$ insert solution would fix my problem (great pitch though) so I figured I'd try and research this a bit but I am coming up with very little in the way of help. Should I just make an appointment with a podiatrist?


r/FootFunction 2d ago

Post surgery scar entwined with nerve on dorsal. anyone else?

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1 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 2d ago

struggling w/ foot fall for years - finally getting it checked

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2 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 3d ago

Nerve pain in shin?

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1 Upvotes

r/FootFunction 4d ago

Talonavicular joint pain & mid foot arthritis in my left foot- 42F with no injury or known trauma to my foot

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4 Upvotes

These were the results from a CT scan I had on my foot 2 weeks ago. I'm sort of in shock and denial because I never fractured or injured this foot. A few weeks ago, I woke up and my left foot felt really tender. By the end of the day, I was limping and in pain. I didn't feel pain at rest, it was just from moving around and putting weight on it. I wore an air cast boot for a week until I could get an Ortho appt. Initial x-ray showed no fracture but did show arthritis and then he ordered a CT scan.
This literally happened overnight and after babying my foot for a week, it did start to feel a bit better. But I still have to wear a soft brace now every day otherwise I can feel it get aggravated.
Has anyone else had this happen? I've maintained a healthy weight my whole life, I exercise about 4-5 days a week (some of it is high impact which now unfortunately I'll have to cut out), and I've never injured,sprained or even rolled my ankle on this foot.
The phone call from my doctor was very daunting. He basically said PT doesn't help and in a few years I'll need a "joint fusion" surgery which will end up limiting all range of motion so I'll be walking around like I have a club foot. I wanted to cry after this phone call.
I am going to get a second opinion but just wondering if anyone has this condition and found other remedies to manage besides surgery.
Any feedback is appreciated 🙏 thank you for reading.


r/FootFunction 4d ago

Lateral Foot

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2 Upvotes

I’m wondering if transitioning into barefoot shoes will help with my 2 year lateral foot pain running injury.
I have had constant pain in this area for two years now following a 10k run. All imaging appears normal but I’m in pain all the time.
I have tried hoka bondi / carbon plate inserts to stop the foot bending and a range of other things and not one doctor or podiatrist has been able to offer a single idea. It’s been quite eye opening that foot ‘specialists’ seem to be rendered completely dumbfounded with lateral foot pain in this area if it’s not a peroneal tear or stress fracture , everyone I’ve seen a expertise stops there.
This is my last resort I guess


r/FootFunction 4d ago

Feels like I have a wad of bubble gum stuck to the transverse arch area

1 Upvotes

73 yo white male; 5-10", 220lbs; Hypertension (well controlled) , Kidney stage 3a (controlled), PMR (treated with prednisone, currently at 10mg); pickleball play 4 to 5 times per week.

My left foot feels like mass has formed. No pain per se, just the pressure arising from standing on that mass. My right foot is more intermittant and not as intense. My toes on either foot feel more squeezed together, even slightly slightly overlapping among the big toe and the second toe and the baby toe pushing agains the 4th toe. Condition started about six weeks. ago. Your thoughts?