Foot Typing

Are you a B Quad?

Posted by casey1313 on in Educational, Foot Typing, QUADRASTEP SYSTEM 0 Comment


The B QUAD Foot-Type is a mildly over-pronated foot type or Mild Pes Planus. This is the result of a Compensated Rearfoot Varus with a flexible forefoot valgus deformity. It is often to be found unilateral and is often associated with a structural leg length discrepancy.

The B QUAD Foot-Type is a rarely occurring combined foot deformity, affecting less than 10% of the population. In addition, it is often unilateral. The B QUAD Foot-Type is a mildly over-pronated foot due to a compensated rearfoot varus deformity, however that over pronation is somewhat minimized by a forefoot valgus deformity that acts like a “pronation-deterrent”.

In some cases, this foot-type may be caused by an acquired plantarflexed 1st ray, functioning as a forefoot valgus. This may occur in flexible pes planus foot types as the peroneals are working overtime to try and pull the forefoot into a pronatory twist in attempt to stabilize the midtarsal joint. It is also common to see this condition occur unilaterally on a short limb. Pronating the forefoot into a valgus alignment supinates the foot and helps lengthen the limb. When this foot-type occurs on one side only, we refer to this as a “foot disparity”. When foot disparities occur, each foot functions differently from one another, as so each limb functions differently as well. This has a direct affect on the hips and low back, often leading to sacral-iliac pain. Heel and lower back pain is common. The torque foot nature of this foot-type allows the valgus forefoot to offset the uncompensated inverted heel alignment that would normally lead to a toe out gait pattern (see C Quad Foot-Type). Overall, the foot progression angle for this person is such that the feet point relatively straight ahead during gait (no toe out) with a narrow base of support, much like a tight rope walker.


For more about the B QUAD Foot-Type go to our website.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge. For more information see our Customized Orthotics.page on nolaro24.com.

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The NEW E+ from The QUADRASTEP SYSTEM® is here!

Posted by casey1313 on in Foot Typing, QUADRASTEP SYSTEM 0 Comment

Many practitioners around the world already dispense our six original QUADRASTEP® orthotics effectively with great accuracy on about 80% of all patients. With the addition of our 7th orthotic (the E+), practitioners will be able to effectively treat about 90% of all patients. The QUADRASTEP® E+ orthotic offers more arch support, more forefoot equinus correction, and increased rearfoot posting over the existing E orthotic. The E+ orthotic will not replace the E orthotic, but will allow practitioners to treat virtually every variety of the highly common E QUAD foot-type. The new E+ offers these alternative design features to
more effectively treat the higher arched E’s.

The E QUAD foot-type is one of the most common and unique-looking feet, often with
a reverse-lasted foot shape. This foot-type is the result of a combined uncompensated rearfoot varus, coupled with a moderate to large forefoot varus. The E QUAD foot-type is one of the most destructive foot-types of all. The combined uncompensated rearfoot and forefoot varus deformities in this foot-type create a very rigid foot that is unable to provide the motions necessary to load the medial aspect of the foot during the stance phase of gait. The keynote feature of this foot-type is the ballistic heel whip that is evident at heel rise. The larger the forefoot varus deformity the bigger the heel whip, the larger the toe sign, and
the greater the chance of kicking oneself in the opposite leg. The E does a great job at controlling this foot but mostly for the lower arch variants. The E+ will have all of the benefits of the regular E, but with a more aggressive arch to control those feet with a higher arch.

To add the new E+ to your existing QUADRASTEP SYSTEM® Kit or to purchase by the pair, call 877.792.4669 or email info@nolaro24.com

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The C Quad

Posted by casey1313 on in Educational, Foot Typing, QUADRASTEP SYSTEM 0 Comment

The C QUAD Foot-Type is sometimes referred to as a Subtle Pes Cavus foot or an under-pronator, which means that the foot is not able to roll-in enough for ideal foot function but it’s not as severe as in a high arched foot. This foot-type has a fairly normal looking arch, they don’t have excessively flat feet or an arch that is too high. A key distinguishing feature of this foot-type is an obvious toe-out gait pattern. We call people with this foot type the “John Wayne walkers” and it is one of the most common foot-types, with over a quarter of the population having this foot-type.

People with this foot-type walk very toe-out. Picture how a gunslinger from an old western movie made his entrance into the local saloon. If you’re not a fan of the westerns, think of a penguin or a duck! Anyone who is walking toe-out to a large degree is probably the C Foot-Type. Furthermore, if a person with this foot-type attempts to stand with their feet straight ahead, they will complain that their hips hurt! Why? Because of the way this foot functions, loading the inner aspect of their feet is extremely difficult. As a result they will attempt to acquire the necessary motion by externally rotating at the hips and walking toe-out. The muscles that externally rotate the hips become chronically shortened as a result of this gait pattern. Thus, standing with their feet straight ahead is extremely uncomfortable.

Common complaints from people with the C Foot-Type include hip and back pain, this is because of the slightly rigid nature of this foot and its poor shock-absorbing characteristics, though it’s not as severe as the A. For every step you take, your feet have to work as shock-absorbers and a force equivalent to one and a half times your body weight goes pounding through your feet and then up the body if the feet don’t absorb that impact effectively. When you’re running, it’s a force of about three times your body weight. Therefore, the development of hip and lower back pain is common because these feet aren’t able to absorb the impacts and forces associated with very step you take. Because this foot tends to roll out more than it should someone with this foot-type is very prone to ankle sprains and anyone with a history of ankle sprains is probably going to be either the A or C foot-type.

Another common complaint is bony bumps or swelling on the backs of the heels which are commonly known as ‘pump bumps’. The toe-out nature of C gait means that the backs of your heels are rubbing against your shoes in the wrong place, plus there tends to be some extra sideways motion in the heels during walking. The toe-out gait pattern also can lead to callus formation under the big toes.

All QUADRASTEP Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge. For more info, visit our website nolaro24.com

 

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