pilates for legs?

[beyond.omega]

Definitely get a second opinion about PT. I once went to a orthpaedist for repeated sprain, and they wanted to do surgery. When I got a second opinion from a doctor my friend recommended, he was shocked they wanted to do surgery, and explained at length that surgery has a poor track record with my problem and there is more PT that can be done. The PT did take care of my problem.

This is what I found when I googled for your problem:

http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pttd.htm

Non-surgical Treatment
Because of the progressive nature of PTTD, early treatment is advised. If treated early enough, your symptoms may resolve without the need for surgery and progression of your condition can be arrested.

In contrast, untreated PTTD could leave you with an extremely flat foot, painful arthritis in the foot and ankle, and increasing limitations on walking, running, or other activities.

On http://www.physio-pedia.com/Posterio...on_Dysfunction

Non-operative treatment

The key to a successful outcome is early detection of the dysfunction. A randomised controlled trial by Kornelia Kulig et al. shows us that

• orthoses use,
  
• static stretching of gastrocnemius and soleus muscle,
  
• concentric/eccentric training of the posterior tibialis

have demonstrated success.

Participants were divided into three groups and in each group, pre- and post-intervention data (Foot Functional Index, distance traveled in the 5-Minute Walk Test and pain immediately after the 5-Minute Walk Test) were collected. The result was that concentric and eccentric progressive exercises improved perceptions of function and reduced pain (together with orthoses use and stretching). As per Kulig et al, orthoses use and eccentric training demonstrate the most improvement over a 12 week period. These results are significant (p<0,05), which means that they found a significant difference between the pre-intervention data and post-intervention data. There can be some doubt whether this is a clinically relevant study or not, because the number of participants is small. [8]


Treatment options per stages of PTTD are determined on the basis of whether there is an acute inflammation and whether the foot deformity is fixed or flexible: [2]

• Stage I: Acute: 4-8 weeks immobilisation, RICE; Chronic: flat footwear and corrective orthose or ankle foot orthosis, lace-up
• Stage II: Acute 4-8 weeks immobilisation, RICE; Chronic: lace-up, corrective orthosis and flat footwear
• Stage III: Lace-up, customised footwear or semirigid shoes and accommodative orthosis
• Stage IV: Lace-up, customised footwear or semirigid shoes and accommodative orthosis

The results of a retrospective investigation by Matthew D. Nielsen et al. support the use of a multifaceted conservative approach to the treatment of the AAFD with PTTD. This nonsurgical approach includes:
* initial immobilization
* anti-inflammatory medications
* physical therapy
* bracing
* in particular the construction of a LAFO
This aggressive nonoperative treatment regimen has been successful at alleviating symptoms in 87.5% of patients without the need for surgical intervention.[12]

And to get you started: http://bloomingtonpodiatrist.com/try...rapy-for-pttd/

The following are easy exercises you can do right at home. Start on the floor with your affected foot out in front and loop a towel around the ball of the foot. Gently pull the towel towards you until you feel a stretch in the calf. Next, stand next to a wall and place the toes of the affected foot up against the wall—lean forward until you again feel a stretch in the calf. While standing, balance on the affected foot and then progress to pushing up onto the ball of your foot while still balancing. Trying to walk down a straight line on your tiptoes can also be helpful. Last, take an exercise band and loop it around the bottom of your foot. While holding the other end and providing resistance, press your foot downward. You can also do the reverse by looping the band around the top of the foot and with the other end attached to a fixed object, pull your foot upward.

[Jane P.]

First of all I have chronic foot problems due to flat feet. A few months back, I was watching a documentary film about young ballet dancers and saw one of the dancers using a gizmo to strengthen his arches.

I took a gander around the internet and found it.

http://www.elginex.com/store/item.as...PARTMENT_ID=41

It's spring loaded and works quite well. It's a quality product.

[beyond.omega]

Also, to stretch your calf: http://www.runnersworld.com/stretchi...r-calf-muscles

I do the second calf stretch pictured in this article here every day the one with toes against a wall): http://www.washingtonian.com/article...fortable-shoe/