The orthopedic surgeon says my right foot "over pronates",

[Critters2]

and that I should always wear sturdy shoes that support my whole foot. No more clogs or sandals (yeah, when it's 98 degrees, I'll wear shoes and socks. Right....not happening).

I have to admit that he used the word "over-pronating" (sp?), like everyone knows what it means. So, I pretended that the emperor's new clothes were just lovely, and didn't say a word. So now I'm curious. Can anyone tell me what it means that my right foot "over pronates"?

Off to google with me.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Pronation is where the weight isn't squarely over the arch of the foot,

making it sort of turn under, and that makes your arches fall.

[Critters2]

3. Oh, yeah. My right foot does sort of turn under, turn down to the inside.

Apparently, it's something to do with my scoliosis. I go twice a year to get my spine checked, but he basically checks my whole skeletal system. This thing with my right foot caught his eye.

Thanks for clarifying!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Critters2!

Welcome to the club! I think that's what my foot is doing, too...

It's flattening. The arch is falling, and that sucker hurts. The tendon that supports the arch is slowly tearing...

So I might need a cast, or some such...In the meantime, I'm wearing an elastic thingy that supports my foot better than doing nothing...

Good luck!

:hi:

[Critters2]

4. Thanks, CalPeggy. I don't have any pain, but apparently

he wants me to take some preventative action now. Told me the shoes I was wearing today (New Balance walking shoes) were good, and that I should wear walking shoes most of the time now. This seems to be related to my scoliosis. I've always been warned that as I grow older I'd have more skeletal issues because my spine just throws everything out of whack. I guess it's starting.

[midnight armadillo]

7. Bah. barefeet are your birthright.

Start by going bare around the house, then, for outdoors, get yourself some Nike Free or Vibram Five Fingers for outside/every day wear, and slowly build up to support-less shoes. Build up the foot muscles. Well, I'm not sure if the spinal issues work with barefeet, but maybe bare will help your spine.

[Bossy Monkey]

5. A friend who, like me, has flat feet steered me towards Danskos

He said he'd tried everything, and they were much the best. I got a pair and have been well-pleased with them. I wish I could say that my lower back problems have been eliminated, but that would be overstating. But they're much better than the prior solution (Rockports with Dr. Scholl's arch support inserts) and cheaper than say, a new car. (They were $130 actually; steep, but not killer.) Most interesting for you I suspect: they make sandals. In fact, that was the only thing the store had that I wouldn't have had to order. (I stuck with shoes.) Then again, I'm male; you might find a better selection in your local shoe stores.

[Critters2]

6. Thanks! I'll look 'em up! nt