Podoclínica Guimarães

14/02/2026

Dia dos Namorados

11/02/2026

CONGRESSO NACIONAL DE PODOLOGIA

18/01/2026

This image explains flat foot (pes planus) as a global biomechanical problem, not just a foot deformity. It clearly shows how collapse of the medial longitudinal arch initiates a cascade of abnormal forces that travel upward through the entire kinetic chain—from the foot to the spine—resulting in pain, gait disturbance, and postural dysfunction.

At the foot and ankle level, the medial arch collapses due to excessive pronation. The calcaneus everts and the talus plantarflexes and adducts, causing instability of the subtalar joint. This reduces the foot’s ability to function as a rigid lever during push-off. As a result, shock absorption is impaired, and excessive rotational forces are transmitted proximally rather than being dissipated at the foot.

This excessive pronation drives internal rotation of the tibia, which directly affects the knee joint. The knee, primarily designed for flexion and extension, is forced to accommodate repeated rotational stress. Over time, this leads to increased strain on the medial compartment, patellofemoral maltracking, and pain around the knee, as illustrated in the diagram.

As the abnormal rotation continues upward, the femur also rotates internally, altering hip joint mechanics. The hip abductors and external rotators are placed at a mechanical disadvantage, reducing pelvic stability during single-limb stance. This results in compensatory pelvic tilt and increased reliance on passive structures, contributing to hip pain and inefficient gait mechanics.

At the lumbopelvic and spinal level, persistent pelvic asymmetry and altered hip mechanics lead to compensatory spinal curvature and muscle imbalance. The spine adapts through lateral flexion and rotation to maintain the center of gravity over the base of support. These compensations increase compressive and shear forces on the vertebral segments, commonly manifesting as chronic low back pain or spinal discomfort.

The image also highlights secondary signs, such as X-shaped (valgus) leg alignment and characteristic shoe wear patterns. These visible indicators reflect long-standing biomechanical overload and altered ground reaction forces during walking.

In summary, flat foot is a kinetic chain dysfunction where a local structural collapse leads to widespread biomechanical consequences. Without correction, compensations become habitual movement patterns, increasing energy expenditure and risk of overuse injuries.

✨ Clinical Insight:
Treating flat foot effectively requires addressing not only the arch but also tibial rotation, hip stability, pelvic control, and spinal alignment—because in human movement, everything is connected.

11/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1858viS81A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

31/12/2025

Flat feet collapse the tripod base during squats, driving knee valgus (inward collapse), hip impingement, medial knee overload, and compensatory low-back strain up the chain.
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How flat feet disrupt squat mechanics
Without a stable arch, weight shifts medially onto the inner foot, pronating the subtalar joint and internally rotating the tibia/knee into valgus, stressing the medial knee compartment and patellofemoral joint.
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This foot collapse drags the femur inward, pinching the anterior hip capsule/labrum (impingement) and forcing early hip rise or lumbar rounding to maintain balance.
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Upstream compensations
Knee valgus increases medial knee stress (PFPS, MCL strain) while one-sided pronation asymmetry tilts the pelvis, overloading the contralateral QL/low back.
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Hips shoot up early and back rounds because the unstable base leaks power, so the trunk overcompensates to hit depth.
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Optimal tripod squat foot position
Maintain three points: heel center, big toe base, little toe base—spread weight evenly, grip the floor, and keep knees tracking over toes (not midline).
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If any point lifts during descent/ascent, reset: cue arch lift, glute activation, and knee-out pressure to restore chain integrity.

27/12/2025

Cada modalidade desportiva exige palmilhas específicas e calçado diferenciado, em função do piso e do gesto desportivo realizado.

24/12/2025

A PODOCLINICA deseja a todos os pacientes e amigos um Santo e Feliz Natal 🎁🎄

15/12/2025

07/12/2025

18/08/2025

Study Demonstrates Importance of Plantar Fascia and Windlass in Maintaining Stiffness of Longitudinal Arch of Foot

Finite Element Analysis of Plantar Fascia During Walking: A Quasi-static Simulation

Yen-Nien Chen, MSc, Chih-Wei Chang, MD, MSc, Chun-Ting Li, MSc, Chih-Han Chang, PhD, and Cheng-Feng Lin, PT, PhD

Abstract: The plantar fascia is a primary arch supporting structure of the foot and is often stressed with high tension during ambulation. When the loading on the plantar fascia exceeds its capacity, the inflammatory reaction known as plantar fasciitis may occur. Mechanical overload has been identified as the primary causative factor of plantar fasciitis. However, a knowledge gap exists between how the internal mechanical responses of the plantar fascia react to simple daily activities. Therefore, this study investigated the biomechanical responses of the plantar fascia during loaded stance phase by use of the finite element (FE) modeling.

Methods: A 3-dimensional (3-D) FE foot model comprising bones, cartilage, ligaments, and a complex-shaped plantar fascia was constructed. During the stance phase, the kinematics of the foot movement was reproduced and Achilles tendon force was applied to the insertion site on the calcaneus. All the calculations were made on a single healthy subject.

Results: The results indicated that the plantar fascia underwent peak tension at preswing (83.3% of the stance phase) at approximately 493 N (0.7 body weight). Stress concentrated near the medial calcaneal tubercle. The peak von Mises stress of the fascia increased 2.3 times between the midstance and preswing. The fascia tension increased 66% because of the windlass mechanism.

Conclusion: Because of the membrane element used in the ligament tissue, this FE model was able to simulate the mechanical structure of the foot. After prescribing kinematics of the distal tibia, the proposed model indicated the internal fascia was stressed in response to the loaded stance phase.

Clinical Relevance: Based on the findings of this study, adjustment of gait pattern to reduce heel rise and Achilles tendon force may lower the fascia loading and may further reduce pain in patients with plantar fasciitis.

(Chen YN, Chang CW, Li CT, Chang CH, Lin CF. Finite element analysis of plantar fascia during walking: a quasi-static simulation. Foot & ankle international. 2015 Jan;36(1):90-97.)

https://journals.sagepub.com/.../10.1177/1071100714549189