Quadra Step A Foot-Type

The A QUAD Foot-Type is commonly thought of as an over-supinated or severe Pes Cavus foot. This condition, also known as a Torque Foot, occurs when a Uncompensated Rearfoot Varus is coupled with a Large Rigid Forefoot Valgus.

We fondly refer to this foot-type as our “chandelier shakers”! Why? Because this foot-type loads heavily on the ground and never seems to pronate, leading to poor shock attenuation.

The development of heel and lower back pain is common. The torque foot nature of this foot-type allows the valgus forefoot to offset the uncompensated inverted heel alignment that would normally lead to a toe out gait pattern (see C Quad foot-type). Overall, the foot progression angle for this person is such that the feet point relatively straight ahead during gait (no toe out) with a narrow base of support, much like a tight rope walker.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.

The B QUAD Foot-Type is a mildly over-pronated foot type or Mild Pes Planus. This is the result of a Compensated Rearfoot Varus with a flexible forefoot valgus deformity. It is often to be found unilateral and is often associated with a structural leg length discrepancy.

The B QUAD Foot-Type is a rarely occurring combined foot deformity, affecting less than 10% of the population. In addition, it is often unilateral. The B QUAD Foot-Type is a mildly over-pronated foot due to a compensated rearfoot varus deformity, however that over pronation is somewhat minimized by a forefoot valgus deformity that acts like a “pronation-deterrent”.

In some cases, this foot-type may be caused by an acquired plantarflexed 1st ray, functioning as a forefoot valgus. This may occur in flexible pes planus foot types as the peroneals are working overtime to try and pull the forefoot into a pronatory twist in attempt to stabilize the midtarsal joint. It is also common to see this condition occur unilaterally on a short limb. Pronating the forefoot into a valgus alignment supinates the foot and helps lengthen the limb. 

When this foot-type occurs on one side only, we refer to this as a “foot disparity”. When foot disparities occur, each foot functions differently from one another, as so each limb functions differently as well. This has a direct affect on the hips and low back, often leading to sacral-iliac pain. Heel and lower back pain is common. The torque foot nature of this foot-type allows the valgus forefoot to offset the uncompensated inverted heel alignment that would normally lead to a toe out gait pattern (see C Quad foot-type). Overall, the foot progression angle for this person is such that the feet point relatively straight ahead during gait (no toe out) with a narrow base of support, much like a tight rope walker.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.

The C QUAD Foot-Type is sometimes referred to as a Subtle Pes Cavus foot or an under-pronator. This foot-type exists when an Uncompensated Rearfoot Varus is coupled with a relatively normal (neutral) forefoot alignment. A key distinguishing feature of this foot-type is an obvious toe-out gait pattern.

People with this foot-type walk very toe-out. Picture how a gunslinger from an old western movie made his entrance into the local saloon! If you’re not a fan of the westerns, think of a penguin or a duck! The primary consideration here is simply that the rearfoot cannot pronate at the subtalar joint. Why? Because it is uncompensated which means that calcaneal eversion is not possible! Furthermore, if a person with this foot-type attempts to stand with their feet straight ahead, they will complain that their hips hurt! Why? Since an individual with this foot-type cannot pronate at the subtalar joint, loading the inner aspect of their feet is extremely difficult. As a result they will attempt to acquire the necessary motion by externally rotating at the hips. The muscles that externally rotate the hips become chronically shorted as a result of this gait pattern. Thus, standing with their feet straight ahead is extremely uncomfortable.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.

The D QUAD Foot-Type is a moderately over-pronated foot-type. This foot-type occurs when a Compensated Rearfoot Varus exists with a normal or neutral forefoot alignment.

The Quad D foot-type is congenitally a partially unstable foot and is often diagnosed in children as developmental flat foot. Make no mistake, if you think that this child will “out-grow the deformity,” just ask Mom and Dad and their older siblings to take off their shoes and socks. If family members demonstrate similar foot characteristics, chances are that this child is not going to develop an arch. During gait, this foot begins to pronate at the subtalar joint in contact phase, and continues to pronate throughout midstance. In propulsion, the 1st ray will plantarflex to load the medial column of the foot and allow the foot to re-supinate.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.

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The F QUAD Foot-Type is a commonly referred to as a Pes Planovalgus foot deformity because of its very poor alignment to the floor. This is a true “flat foot.” The condition occurs when a Compensated Rearfoot Varus is coupled with a large Flexible Forefoot Varus (also called Forefoot Supinatus).

The F QUAD foot-type is the most hypermobile or flexible of the foot-types. This hypermobility leads to great instability throughout the foot and ankle, and can be prevalent throughout the body. These feet look “very flat” at an early age, and can only worsen into adulthood. This severe instability also makes it difficult to develop and maintain core strength throughout the legs and trunk. Muscles need to work “overtime” to do the same job as someone with better functioning feet, drastically increasing energy expenditure. This foot-type causes a lot of damage to the forefoot during propulsion. 

In addition to transverse metatarsal arch reversal, don’t be surprised to see hammertoes, hallux abductovalgus deformity, functional hallux limitus, and painful corns and calluses.

All Quadrastep Orthotics are available in Regular and Narrow Widths, and with a topcover an an additional charge.