Are You A C Quad?

The C QUAD Foot-Type is sometimes referred to as a Subtle Pes Cavus foot or an under-pronator, which means that the foot is not able to roll-in enough for ideal foot function but it’s not as severe as in a high arched foot. This foot-type has a fairly normal looking arch, they don’t have excessively flat feet or an arch that is too high. A key distinguishing feature of this foot-type is an obvious toe-out gait pattern. We call people with this foot type the “John Wayne walkers” and it is one of the most common foot-types, with over a quarter of the population having this foot-type.

People with this foot-type walk very toe-out. Picture how a gunslinger from an old western movie made his entrance into the local saloon. If you're not a fan of the westerns, think of a penguin or a duck! Anyone who is walking toe-out to a large degree is probably the C Foot-Type. Furthermore, if a person with this foot-type attempts to stand with their feet straight ahead, they will complain that their hips hurt! Why? Because of the way this foot functions, loading the inner aspect of their feet is extremely difficult. As a result they will attempt to acquire the necessary motion by externally rotating at the hips and walking toe-out. The muscles that externally rotate the hips become chronically shortened as a result of this gait pattern. Thus, standing with their feet straight ahead is extremely uncomfortable.

Common complaints from people with the C Foot-Type include hip and back pain, this is because of the slightly rigid nature of this foot and its poor shock-absorbing characteristics, though it’s not as severe as the A. For every step you take, your feet have to work as shock-absorbers and a force equivalent to one and a half times your body weight goes pounding through your feet and then up the body if the feet don’t absorb that impact effectively. When you’re running, it’s a force of about three times your body weight. Therefore, the development of hip and lower back pain is common because these feet aren’t able to absorb the impacts and forces associated with very step you take. Because this foot tends to roll out more than it should someone with this foot-type is very prone to ankle sprains and anyone with a history of ankle sprains is probably going to be either the A or C foot-type.

Another common complaint is bony bumps or swelling on the backs of the heels which are commonly known as ‘pump bumps’. The toe-out nature of C gait means that the backs of your heels are rubbing against your shoes in the wrong place, plus there tends to be some extra sideways motion in the heels during walking. The toe-out gait pattern also can lead to callus formation under the big toes.

All QUADRASTEP Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.

To find QUADRASTEPS orthotics in your area, try our FIND A PRACTITIONER tool!

For more information about the E Quad, visit www.nolaro24.com/patient/quadepatient.html.
To find a practitioner in your area, check our website www.nolaro24.com/patient/find.html.
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Trying to Find QUADRASTEP® Foot Orthotics in Kansas?

If you are looking for a great place to buy QUADRASTEP® Foot Orthotics in Kansas, you should check out Comfort Plus Shoes & Footcare! They are Kansas City's full-service orthopedic and comfort shoe store, dedicated to improving your foot function, comfort and performance. With a wide selection of brand-name and custom-made footwear options, their mission is to fit you correctly with the best shoe for your purpose.

Their motto is: Don't just get your size.Get your fit.

Their footwear inventory is hand-selected by their expert staff. They carry Kansas City’s best and widest selection of European and comfort shoe brands, including Birkenstock, Finn Comfort, Joya, New Balance, Ecco, Naot, Mephisto, Vionic, Wolky, Haflinger, Waldlaufer, Samuel Hubbard, Drew, P.W. Minor, Apex, Aetrex, SmartKnit, Thorlo, and more.

They specialize in:

• Shoe repair
• Sandal repair
• Footbed customization
• Diabetic shoes
• Custom shoes
• Shoe modifications
• Orthotic recovering
• Orthotic modifications
• Shoe refurbishment
• Plantar fasciitis shoes
• Birkenstock repair

And of course, they stock our QUADRASTEP® Foot Orthotics! Here's what they have to say about QUADRASTEP®:

"We appreciate the QUADRASTEP® Orthotic System because of the many, many options that allows for us to fit our customers in near-custom orthoses. There are many options with the six different orthotic types in multiple widths. We don’t see many individuals with two identical feet. QUADRASTEPS® allow for us to provide a custom fit and support for the individual's differing feet. The customer also doesn’t have to wait for us to produce a custom orthotic AND QUADRASTEPS® are more cost-efficient for the customer as they are about half the price of a custom orthotic. All in all, QUADRASTEPS® are smart, sophisticated and affordable."

For all of your footwear needs in the Kansas City area, go to Comfort Plus Shoes & Footcare!

Jennifer Aniston and Why We Want to Help Her

Jennifer Aniston is known as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. A Hollywood lifestyle can be tough on your body, especially on your feet. All of the interviews, parties, red carpet events, not to mention filming in high heels! We would love to help Jennifer out, she can contact us any time for an evaluation :-)

A bunion is a deformity of the big toe joint that results from bone misalignment or re-positioning at the joint. Although bunions occur most frequently at the base of the big toe, they can also arise on the outside of the foot at the base of the small toe.

When the joint at the base of the big toe becomes enlarged, friction and pressure are created as it painfully rubs against footwear. Eventually, the big toe may press inward against the smaller toes, even overlapping as far as the third toe in some cases, a condition called hallux valgus. With some bunions, the big toe also rotates or twists inward, which is called hallux abducto valgus.

What Are Risk Factors that Can Cause Bunions?

• Overpronation, flat feet, or other neuromuscular problems that affect the feet
• Tight-fitting, narrow-toed, or high-heeled footwear
• Recurring stress to the foot
• Previous foot injuries
• Congenital defects
• Arthritis

What Are Symptoms of Bunions?

• Chronic pain and discomfort when walking, especially as the bunion becomes larger and rubs against footwear
• Swelling, redness, and tenderness at the site
• Thickened skin on the bottom of the affected area

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Apply ice
• Rest the area and avoid motions that apply pressure to the affected joint
• Wear loose-fitting, non-constricting footwear that does not put pressure on the bunion
• Insert orthotics into footwear to provide stability and correct positioning
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications on a temporary basis for pain and inflammation (ask your doctor first)
• Stretch the area with specific exercises to keep the joint mobile
• Splint the area during sleep to encourage proper joint alignment, which is preferred for younger people suffering from bunions because their bones are still developing
• Receive a cortisone injection to reduce joint inflammation
• Remove corns or calluses
• Have a bunionectomy, or surgery to remove the bunion and realign the toe, if necessary

Untreated bunions can also lead to other toe deformities, such as hammertoe. Arthritis and bursitis may also develop in the joint area.

How Can Bunions Be Prevented?

• Wear properly fitting, supportive footwear or custom orthotics
• Seek early, correct diagnosis and treatment to slow or stop bunion development

Ask your practitioner how the QUADRASTEP SYSTEM orthotics can help with bunions and visit http://www.nolaro24.com/patient/qspatient.html for more information!