Question
My 13-year old nephew has right hemiplegic cerebral palsy with bilateral flexible pes planus.  He had worn various arch supports and later ankle foot orthotic to correct his foot deformity.

Recently he started wearing supra-malleolar orthosis (SMO).  No complain of pain of his feet until 1 day he was running and more active and wearing period was longer.  There was a big red patch at his right navicular, hot and tender to touch.  It is not like pressure mark. Appreciate your advise.

I was told by his orthopaedic doctor that my nephew also has 2 percent of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and that he has static muscles, wearing the SMO will not help & that 1 day he may not be able to walk.  Appreciate your advise.

Thank you.

Lee

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says.......

Dear Lee,
I agree an orthotic will not work,but a better made or different model AFO would work on the pes planus.
It is a rub mark on the navicular area of the foot from the SMO. Try padding the area with soft felt or moleskin or firm foam. Make it like a doughnut so the red foot area rests in the hole. If the SMO helps then encourage him to run and exercise as much as possible. If he pushes himself and wears the right bracing he may prove his orthopedic doctor wrong!
Also if he is not complaining of the redness-you can wait and see if he forms a little bit of a callous for protection.

Hope This Helps
Good Luck and God Bless!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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