Dr. William Knudson is an Iowa native who serves patients from his Leesville, Virginia office. Through Podiatric Care of Northern Virginia, Dr. William Knudson regularly sees patients complaining of foot pain and discomfort. One of the primary causes of foot pain, Dr. William Knudson explains, is fallen arches. Today he talks to the staff of Presentation Solutions about the causes of fallen arches, what can be done to prevent them, and what he does to treat them.
Presentation Solutions: How do I know when my foot pain is due to fallen arches?
Dr. William Knudson: Well, with fallen arches, the pain is usually isolated to one area of the foot.
Presentation Solutions: The arch of the foot, right?
Dr. William Knudson: Actually, not necessarily the entire arch. Often the pain is within the arch but in one small area.
Presentation Solutions: Will I notice that pain when I’m standing or sitting?
Dr. William Knudson: Many of my patients first notice the pain while standing. It gets worse after they’ve walked around for a while. In some cases, the pain radiates through the entire foot.
Presentation Solutions: Is pain the only symptom?
Dr. William Knudson: Some of my patients also see swelling.
Presentation Solutions: What causes the arches to fall?
Dr. William Knudson: There can be a variety of causes. In some cases, aging causes the arches to fall and in others, a sports injury can develop after repetitive use. We also see patients who have worked in jobs that require standing throughout the day on a hard surface, especially if those patients were wearing shoes with inadequate arch support.
Presentation Solutions: What happens in the foot when an arch falls?
Dr. William Knudson: As I tell my patients, the arch of the foot is comprised of joints and muscles, which are bound together to form a sort of bridge. With improper force over time, that bridge can begin to collapse, which is where the pain comes in.
Presentation Solutions: How do you treat fallen arches?
Dr. William Knudson: There are over-the-counter arch supports that can help. I also recommend ice and rest for short-term relief.
Presentation Solutions: Is more long-term relief available?
Dr. William Knudson: There are several long-term treatments that are much more intensive. I recommend anyone suffering from ongoing pain due to fallen arches see a podiatrist as soon as possible for more effective treatment.
For Virginia residents suffering pain from fallen arches, Dr. William Knudson practices in the Leesburg area at Podiatric Care of Northern Virginia. If your busy schedule prohibits daytime office visits, Dr. William Knudson and his staff offer extended hours. In addition to care for fallen arches, Dr. William Knudson can help with a variety of foot problems, including bunions, heel pain, corns, and plantar warts.
