Comfort Shoe Specialists

11693 Manchester Rd

St. Louis, MO 63131

314-822-3300

Post Polio Foot, Ankle Knee and Hip Problems

Polio leaves many people with problems of the feet, walking and spinal deformities.  Weak muscles are unable to pull against stronger opposite muscles leading to a uneven stature, usually leaning to the stronger side.  Polio can also leave people with a deformed or shorter foot or a difference in leg lengths.

Muscles pull downwards, unbalancing the upright body.  Posture that is out of alignment due to loss of muscle and bony distortions increases the stress on muscles, tendons, and joints.

Postural changes can include:
(a) scoliosis,
(b) kyphosis,
(c) lordosis
or a combination of any of these.

Uneven leg length orarm length and even stunted growth of bony rib or pelvis can occur due to polio, leading to uneven shoulders and hips, excessive gait (walking) swing and body twisting to compensate.  Exaggerated body movements may be necessary to compensate for lost muscles to enable leg and body movement.  Straightening up of hip and shoulders by a shoe raise (adding a few cm at a time) can often alleviate or diminish back pain.  Pain can occur in neck, back, hip, knee, or foot due to leg length discrepancy.

When we walk, muscles and tendons at the front of the foot lift the toes and foot up.  The heel and forward movement utilizes muscles and tendons at the back of the foot and leg.

FOOT ARCHES  Missing muscles due to polio can cause odd shaped feet depending on the pull.  A high instep or cavus foot can be caused by paralysis of anterior tibial (shin) muscles or Achilles tendon (going down at the back to the heel).
Rolling in or outwards of the foot when walking may also occur. This can become more exaggerated with age and time, requiring special shoes or boots that support to lessen strain and callouses. 

FLATFOOT Paralysis of posterior tibial (some of the calf muscles) allow the underneath arches to sag causing a flatfoot.

FLACCID FOOT Complete paralysis of foot muscles can result in a flaccid (no movement) foot.  

TOE PROBLEMS Uneven pull can cause claw toes, hammer toes, bunions and corns.

All of these abnormalities can result in continual wear and tear on joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.  Eventual outcomes include painful joints, arthritis, further weakness and loss of power and sensation.  Joint replacement or stabilization may be necessary fusions of ankle, toes, knees, spinal joints; hip and knee replacements.

What Pedorthics can do for you.

      Expertly fitted footwear from a large selection of styles: Casual, business, dress, athletic, walking, sandals and work shoes.

      External lifts for leg length discrepancies

      Mis-mated footwear.  Several of our vendors offer a pair of shoes in two different sizes to fit both feet perfectly.

      Custom orthotic devices to balance the weight throughout your feet and remove pressure from high pressure areas.  Orthotic devices also improve posture, stabilize balance, steady gait, and maintain equilibrium, and balance your feet.

      ASO Ankle braces:  Soft supports that hold the ankle in a better biomechanical position.  They will fit in almost any shoe.

      Sole flares to keep the feet from “rolling out”

      Springlights are thin carbon fiber plates that go inside footwear to make shoes more rigid which improves gait by reducing the movement in the ankle, thus reducing pain and improving forward motion by assisting the heel off motion.

      Leather toe tips can be added to soles to reduce the chance of tripping.

      Custom made shoes for those who cannot fit into stock footwear.  This is the ultimate in comfort and support with styling options that are virtually unlimited.

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