Hyperpronation, sometimes mistaken as flat feet, is a condition involving excessive movement of the rear part of the feet. A certain amount of normal pronation that is directed from the hip to ensure that the foot is locked at the heel while walking is considered good pronation. Hyperpronation, on the other hand, is a structural issue in which the ankle bone is rotated. This leads to an elevation of the first metatarsal and the big toe too.
Hyperpronation
While hyperpronation is a condition that can be present at birth, abnormal motion sometimes leads to deformity over time. While the condition is not life threatening, continued walking, climbing stairs and other activities can cause musculoskeletal damage. It is estimated that by middle age most people have walked around 75,000 miles. And when feet are not aligned properly it can cause a lot of pressure on the muscles and skeletons of the legs.
Detection
Hyperpronation may go unnoticed by inactive persons, but tends to create issues with those involved in higher level of activity. Your lower leg, knee and thigh muscles all rotate internally while running. The same action occurs in an exaggerated manner when an athlete with hyperpronation makes the same action. To know if you hyperpronate, you may have to look at your shoes. If the running shoes are worn off to a higher extent on the inside of sole, you may want to check in with your orthopedic doctor.
Pain
Some kinds of leg pain created due to exercise and hyperpronation include tendinopathy or medial tibial stress syndrome -- MTSS. While tendinopathy results in small micro tears in the tendons leading to inflammation, MTSS can cause a lot of pain especially while bearing weight and running. Other common foot disorders associated with continued walking and movement with hyperpronation include plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendinopathy, hallux valgus and metatarsalgia.
Treatment
Continuing to run, train or engage in regular exercise after being diagnosed with hyperpronation will lead to higher levels of complications. Treatment involves wearing special wide toed and low heeled shoes. Achilles' tendon stretching also helps to relieving the pain. Special foot strengthening exercises can be done under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Obese or overweight people should definitely control their diets to lose weight. as this could alleviate hyperpronation.
