Mountaineering-induced bilateral plantar paresthesia

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

• Flat feet (pes planus) are linked to musculoskeletal issues, often worsened by inadequate arch support or strenuous activity.
• Plantar paresthesia, a sensory disturbance in the foot, can be debilitating, particularly for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

Observation:

• A case study investigated osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for mountaineering-induced bilateral plantar paresthesia.
• Neurologic function and foot mechanics were assessed during a 4-month OMT period, with the contralateral leg serving as a control.
• A navicular drop test was administered to expedition members to correlate pes planus with paresthesia incidence.

Findings:

• OMT enhanced fibular head motion, muscular flexibility, and released fascial restrictions, improving the patient's subjective experience of stiffness, pain, and well-being.
• However, OMT did not reduce the duration of plantar paresthesia.
• Expedition members with paresthesia exhibited a significantly greater average navicular drop (8.9 mm) compared to those without (5.1 mm), indicating a correlation between pes planus and paresthesia.

Implications:

• Weakened foot arches (pes planus) appear to be a contributing factor in mountaineering-induced plantar paresthesia.
• Early identification of pes planus and intervention with orthotics may prevent neuropathies.
• OMT may offer symptomatic relief for discomfort and tension post-exercise, though it's not a primary solution for paresthesia resolution.