Left foot leans out Options

[Midwest Mom]

My 17 year old son wears out his left shoe very quickly. His foot seems to lean out and back, and the shoes wear markedly more on the left than the right. He says the foot does not hurt, and he hikes long distances in Scouts with no problem. What condition may be causing this, and what treatment is necessary?

[DOCTOR DNK]

You should have your son seen by a podiatrist. It is possible that he is suffering from a pes planus deformity ( flat feet) and may require orthotics.

Foot.com staff member

[Kathy,PT]

One of the potential causes of wearing out a shoe on one side could be a leg length discrepancy. If this has not been a structural issue (actual bone length difference from left to right, confirmed by x-ray), it could be what is called a functional leg length issue. A functional leg length issue is an imbalance in the muscular support of the pelvic bones. It can be generated from tighter muscles on one side versus the opposite. Often times the imbalance is generated by a jarring of one limb such as stepping into a hole in the ground unexpectedly or planting one foot on the ground while pivoting with some force. The treatment can be handled by a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractor, or Physical Therapist. Often times, this treatment can be part of a clinical team effort including the use of orthotics to support the foot and assist with the balance of the lower body musculature.