Question about the way my foot pronates

[Amato]

I was in a cast and a cam boot for roughly 3 months for a broken 3rd metatarsal. I started to get back into running recently and it seems like alot more pressure is on the outside of my foot when I walk and run(overpronate?) Before I got injured I had no such problem. My question is, can being in a cast change the way a person's foot pronates?

[Doc]

Can you clarify the problem you are stating so we might assist you?

Overpronation

As with the "normal pronation" sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial ground contact. However, the foot rolls inward more than the ideal five percent, which is called "overpronation." This means the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body, and shock isn't absorbed as efficiently. At the end of the gait cycle, the front of the foot pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work.


A cast can change the way a person's foot pronates BTW.

[Amato]

My foot doesn't seem to roll inwards like the other. It seems to be more on the outside. Could it be the foot instinctually trying to avoid putting pressure on the broken bone?

[chittnp]

Amato, Years ago, while on active duty with the Navy, I broke the 5th metetarcel on my left foot. I was in a walking cast for a quite a while. I remember that it took me some time after the cast had come off to even be able to walk normally, which maybe a result of walking with a cast ( it forces you to limp). The human foot is pretty complex and it can take awhile, even after the bone has healed and the cast has come off, for it to recover 100%. depending on how long ago your cast came off, it may be that you are still getting used to walking/running without it, and it may be best to take things slow.

On the subject of Pronation, My feet do exactly what Doc described. I have always had this condition and thought that I just had bad knees. When I got into backpacking, I asked one of the guys that works at my local hiking store, who does alot of backpacking, about a good cushioning insole. After making me take off my shoes and socks and sit and stand, he told me why my knees were hurting and reccomended insoles by a company calles Superfeet. They were a bit pricey, but I went for it. I was absolutely amazed. I wont say that they were miraculous, Im sure there are other insoles out there that do the same thing, but I noticed a dramatic decrease in soreness in my knees within a few days of regular use. Especially after going any distance with weight. I reccomend them to anyone looking for a supportive insole. (the ones I got are really bright green, I guess the models are color coded, I dont really know what differences between them are though.

if this has gone too far off topic, please move or delete

[Solid]

Amato-
You are not an over-pronator, instead you are a supinator: your foot rolls (or places increased pressure) on the outside of your foot as opposed to over pronation, where (as Doc said) the foot rolls inwards.

In either case, over- or under- pronation (supination) will hurt not only your foot but also your knees, hips, and eventually back if not dealt with.

The best solution (this coming from a sports doctor) are orthotic inlays with good cushioning, and running shoes / boots with strong ankle/arch support.

The only reason I am commenting here is because I have suffered from over-pronation for most of my life; and my father suffers from supination (under pronation). As such, we have been in contact with numerous sports doctors, podiatrists etc.

Solid

[Amato]

Solid: My lowerback started to hurt a little when I ran yesterday, I might have been limping and maybe that would have caused the lower back pain. I never had this problem before untill I was put in a cast. Is there a way for my foot to go back to normal.