Introduction to Splay Foot

The splay foot is a term used to describe the spreading of the forefoot, hence resulting in the disappearance of the transverse arch of the foot. Splay feet cause intrinsic muscle weakness and weak intermetatarsal ligaments. Splayed feet are commonly associated with midtarsal strains.

Symptoms of the splay foot:

While walking, a person with a splay foot rolls over the outside edge of the foot, Your shoes feel tighter and more uncomfortable, Wider feet, Foot pain is aggravated with walking or standing, and decreases at rest, If you place your shoes on a flat surface, they will lean to one side or wear down more quickly on their outside edges, Feet are easily fatigued due to incorrect loading, Severe pain, numbness, tingling, and burning of the sole of the foot.

Common signs are:

bunion of the big toe, Inward deviation of the little toe, clawfoot, hammertoe.

Cause of the splay foot:

Being overweight, Wearing uncomfortable footwear, Connective tissue weakness, Previous injury, or other genetic conditions such as:(Rheumatism, Weakened ligament structures, Bone diseases, Injuries of the foot's ligaments, and tendons, Paralysis, caused by a damaged nervous system, A hollow foot).

Physiotherapy Management:

  • Mobilization of the metatarsus and activation of small foot muscles,
  • Strengthening the small foot muscles,
    • Toe Pick Ups: It will help to relieve pain. Using your toes, you pick up small objects like pebbles, marbles, or tiny toys and place them in another container.
    • Arch Strengthening Caterpillar: Laying on your back and bending your knees, place your feet about two feet from your glutes on the floor. Pull your toes towards your heels by lifting both foot arches. Allow your foot arches to relax and slide your feet toward your buttocks. Keeping your feet moving in a caterpillar motion, inch closer and closer to your glutes. You should repeat this sequence once you get your feet close to your butt, slowly removing your feet from your butt in the same caterpillar motion.
    • Arch Raises: Sit in a chair with your back straight, your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and your feet flat on the floor. Lift the arch of one foot off the ground without curling your toes or lifting your heels.
    • Alphabet Writing: Imagine that you have a pencil in between your toes, and “writing” the alphabet in the air while pointing the toes outward. 
  • Strengthening the shin muscle,
  • Posterior tibialis muscle strengthening,
  • calf muscles strengthening,
  • Training of the lateral calf muscle,
  • Improving balance and foot stability,
  • Loosening muscles and tissues by:
    • Soft tissue massage,
    • Myofascial releasing,
    • Stretching.