Our Orthopaedic Podiatrist, Chris Parish, has more than 23 years of experience treating a wide range of foot conditions, finding the causes of the pain in your feet, then treating that foot pain effectively and efficiently, returning you to full health in the shortest time possible.

Symptoms and Causes

Picture the cartilage as a biological shock absorber, absorbing the impact of every step you make whether it is walking, running, jumping or even skipping. Repetitive movements, overuse of the knee or even injury can damage the cartilage over time. The cartilage in the knee joint itself is a shock absorber, the cartilage behind the knee cap is more to help with smooth movement / reducing friction) Because going up and down the stairs puts a lot of stress on the knee, this is when you most often feel the pain. You likely will feel pain if you sit for long periods with a bent knee or when you squat or kneel as well. Some people feel a grinding or crushing sensation during knee extensions.

Repetitive actions which stress the knee joints such as competitive jump roping– is this American? skipping or track and field events can cause chondromalacia patella. Injury such as a knee fracture or even a dislocation can be a contributing factor. Improperly aligned bones in the foot or knee are another cause of the anterior knee pain.

Specific activities, sex and age all are contributing risk factors of patellofemoral pain. Jumping and running sports strain or traumatise the knee. Women are more likely than men to develop this knee condition due to the wider pelvic region. In addition, young adults and teenagers tend to develop this condition because of their higher physical activity levels.

Treatment

Treatment of anterior knee pain typically takes a multi-pronged approach using physiotherapy and orthotics (prescription insoles in the shoes). There are specific exercises that can strengthen muscles around the knees, legs and hips that can help with rehabilitation. Exercise such as swimming which does not put any stress on the knees is encouraged too. An orthopaedic professional will likely also expound on the virtues of ice therapy after exercise as well as over the counter pain relievers with anti-inflammatories.

Orthotic foot insoles and supportive braces for the knees can also go a long way towards reducing pain and increasing mobility. These feet arch supports and knee braces can help improve any misalignments as well as protect the knee joint itself. Only as a last resort would realignment surgery or arthroscopy be considered for a case of chondromalacia patella. Luckily, physical rehabilitation and orthotics often does the job of alleviating the knee pain so you can maintain an active lifestyle.

Gait is the manner in which your move, specifically how you walk, step or run. It also has to do with the carriage of your body, or posture. The surface you are walking on, how you hold your body, the health of your feet and the swing of your arms all contribute to your gait. This small four letter word could be the underlying cause of your back problems, particularly in the lower lumbar area.

Diagnosing Back Pain

Gait analysis is a common technique used by podiatric and orthopaedic professionals to diagnose back pain when there are no detectable underlying physical causes. Even athletes undergo this type of analysis to help identify ways to improve their sports performance. The goal is to find a problem in your gait, because a few modifications in how you move could reduce or eliminate the pain.

A number of things are considered such as the width and length of your step as well as walking speed. Rotation of your hips and ankles as well as your knees and joints in the lower half of your body all could be pain contributors. Sometimes, something as simple as fallen arches in your feet or your body accommodating the loss of a full hip extension can trigger pain. Remember, your back is comprised of ligaments, tendons, muscles and small joints all working in tandem with your hips, legs and feet so it is no surprise that a seemingly unrelated problem like your feet or hips could be the cause of the pain in your back.

Treating Back Pain

You will likely may need to undergo some medical testing like x-rays or MRI scans to first rule out other physical problems. Once a mechanical problem, like your gait, is established, a treatment plan can be tailored to suit your unique needs. Physical therapy and exercises to increase strength within the trunk of your body can improve posture while special stretches and movements can increase hip and joint rotation.

In many cases though, some type of foot orthotics (prescription made insoles in your shoes) can make a world of difference. It is amazing how a shoe insert manufactured to the specific contours of your feet can alter your gait and ease your back pain. With the help of a professional like an orthopaedic podiatrist, you could soon be walking and moving pain-free.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms and Causes

Plantar fasciitis develops gradually over time and typically occurs in just one foot, although it is not unheard of to experience it concurrently in both feet. Typically, you will feel a stabbing pain with your first few steps of the morning, just out of bed. You may also feel the piercing pain when you rise on your feet from a sitting position or even after extended periods of standing around. Some people even look for sharp rocks in their shoe because that is what the sensation in the heel feels like.

The plantar fascia is a natural shock absorber in the body, supporting the arches in your feet. When you put undue stress on it through running, wearing bad shoes or weight problems, tiny tears can occur in the tissue. The repeated stress of tearing and stretching causes the pain and inflammation in the heel. Armchair doctors like friends and family may refer to the pain as a heel spur. However, only an x-ray can show the presence of added bone growth in the heel, which is what a heel spur really is.

Treatment Options

Treatment needs to include Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy as the best treatment for long-term / chronic plantar fasciitis to help those with long term problems who have tried other treatments with no improvement.

Once testing is completed to rule out other health problems such as a heel spur, pinched nerve or stress fracture, treatment can commence. Because this foot condition is one of the most prevalent complaints with podiatrists and orthopaedic specialists, it is also one of the easiest to treat.

Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help with pain and inflammation. In addition, corticosteroids may be used in some instances, although it is not a preferred treatment. Physical therapy is common to help you strengthen the muscles in your lower legs as well as your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Orthotics such as night splints may be fitted to your feet and calves which help hold the plantar fascia and Achilles in a stretched position. Other foot orthotics that can be inserted into your shoes are yet another option to treat this painful heel problem.

The majority of the people diagnosed with plantar fasciitis recover in just a few months to a year, mainly due to physical therapy and orthotics. Only the smallest percentage requires surgery or shock wave therapy to the heel for complete recovery. If you feel any type of foot pain, particularly in the heel, don’t grin and bear it. You can find relief quickly as long as you seek the help of a foot professional.

Possible Causes of Shin Splints

Almost fifteen percent of running or jogging injuries are shin splits. Unfortunately, tibial stress syndrome is not really a single condition but rather an indication of another underlying problem. For instance, tibialis posterior tendonitis, irritation of the tendon which attaches to the muscle behind the shin bone and runs down the back of the leg to the inside ankle, could be a contributor.

When you do not have foot arches for support and to serve as biological shock absorbers (a condition known as flat feet), this can cause undue stress and pain on the shins. Tiny stress fractures in the surface of the tibia are another cause. Excessive stress on the tibia and all the connective tissues that connect the muscle to the bone can cause pain and inflammation. Slamming your feet into a hard surface or running down a hill are typical physical activities that cause this type of stress.

Treatment Options

Resting or avoiding the activities that cause the tibial pain is one of the most important steps to take. Do not avoid exercise altogether but rather choose low-impact options like bicycling or swimming. Ice therapy is another smart treatment option for tibial stress syndrome. Cold packs can reduce the swelling and inflammation along with elevating the affected legs.

Examining your footwear is important as well. When your feet roll inward or outward too much, this can cause a strain on your legs, particularly the shin bone. Having the right orthotics orthotic insoles inserted into your shoes can help prevent injury. An orthopaedic podiatrist specialising in this area specialist can take a plaster cast of your feet to create custom-made arch supports to provide an optimal foundation geared specifically to your biomechanical needs. Physical therapy and special range of motion exercises many also be beneficial in treating shin pain.

It is important to ease back into your normal physical routine gradually so as not to aggravate your shin splits or make them worse. Low-impact exercises, ice therapy and orthotics are your best options in treating shin pain as well as other conditions that may contribute to tibial stress syndrome. An orthopaedic specialist can definitely help you identify the causes as well as prescribe the treatment.