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Foot & Ankle

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Techno-Borg Spinning Arrow 14

Common Problems Associated with the Foot & Ankle

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Over pronated "flat feet"

There are a multitude of painful problems associated with the foot and/or ankle which can lead to a reduction in activity levels. These include:

Over Pronation (Flat Feet)

During walking or running the foot and ankle complex has 2 main jobs to do whilst the foot is in contact with the ground.

  • To act as a shock absorber through early stance sometimes called shock absorption phase (when your foot initially makes contact with the ground)

 

  • To act as a rigid lever in late stance sometimes called toe off (as you go on to your toe to "push off" to the next step)

Shock Absorption Phase (Early Stance)

As the foot makes contact with the floor it is supposed to help help absorb the forces of your body weight making contact with the ground. It does this by pronating or rolling inward slightly to help cushion the impact of walking or running. If the foot over pronates it has the appearance of being flat hence the term flat feet.

There are a number of reasons for over pronation:

  • Hypermobility
  • Tight achiles tendon
  • Hind/forefoot deformities
  • Dysfunction (muscles not working properly)
  • Tonal problems

    It is extremely important that a full biomechanical assessment is done in order to establish the reason for over pronating. The reason for this is that the treatment required will differ depending on the primary cause of the over pronation.

    Left untreated over pronation can lead to a number of secondary conditions

    • Shin Splints
    • Hallux valgus (bunions)
    • Plantar fasciitis
    • Metatarsalgia
    • Hallux limitus
    • Anterior knee pain (due to tibial rotation associated with pronation)
    • Fixed flat feet deformities

    Toe Off Phase (Late Stance)

    In late stance the foot is tasked with propelling the body forward effectively and has to act as a rigid lever. To do this it must supinate or roll outward slightly. In this position the small joints in the foot are very secure and provide a rigid platform to push on to the next step.

    The problem with the overpronated foot however is that the body has to work especially hard in order to pull the foot from the over pronated position. Shin splints are as a result of the muscles involved in late stance having to work much harder than they would normally, resulting in pain in the lower half of the leg.

    Treatment of Over Pronation (Flat Feet)

    Foot orthotics are designed to prevent the foot from over pronating during walking or running. This allows the foot to continue to act as both an effective shock absorber in early stance and a rigid lever in late stance.

    Your orthotist can advise on the design of your foot orthotics as they must be designed to specifically address the reason for your over pronation.

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    Over pronated "flat feet"

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    corrected feet with foot orthotics

    To arrange your FREE no obligation biomechanical assessement click here

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    Plantar Fasciitis

    Plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) means inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue (similar to a ligament) that stretches from the heel to the middle bones of the foot. It supports the arch of the foot. Small injuries to the plantar fascia can cause inflammation and symptoms. The injury is usually near to where it attaches to the heel bone.
    This condition is quite common. It mainly affects women and is also common in athletes. Situations where it is more likely to occur include the following;
    • If you do lots of walking, running, standing, etc
    • Wearing shoes with poor cushioning
    • Sudden gains in weight or being overweight will put extra strain on the heel
    • Overuse or sudden stretching of the sole. For example: athletes who increase their running intensity or distance; poor technique starting 'off the blocks'
    • Tightness of the Achilles tendon

    Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
    Pain is the main symptom. This can be anywhere on the underside of the heel. Commonly one spot is found as the main source of pain. This is often about 4 cms forward from the heel, and may be tender to touch. The pain usually eases on resting the foot, but is often worst when first used in the morning. Gentle exercise may then ease things a little as the day goes by, but a long walk often makes the pain worse. Sudden stretching of the sole of the foot may make the pain worse, for example, walking up stairs or on tip-toes.
    Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
    • Rest
    • Painkillers
    • Footwear
    • Using Heel pads or foot orthotics designed to suit your individual problem
    • Exercise & Splinting. Regular gentle stretching of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia will ease the symptoms. when you are asleep at night, the plantar fascia tends to tighten which is why it is usually most painful first thing in the morning. This can be overcome by the use of a night splint which is designed to maintain a stretch during periods of inactivity. 


    nightsplintm.jpg Plantar fasciitis night splint (click here to buy online)


    heel-cup.jpg Silicon heel cup (click here to buy online)

    Metatarsalgia
    Metatarsalgia is pain in the ball of the foot. It is usually felt in the sole of the foot and sometimes feel like "walking on pebbles". Other people feel a more diffuse vague pain, ache or burning. Some people have trouble around only one or two toes, others have it throughout one or both feet.

    Anything which puts extra stress on the front of the foot can cause metatarsalgia. Common examples are:  

    • Overweight
    • Inappropriate footwear 
    • High-arched "cavus" foot in which the bones in the front of the foot (metatarsals) point down into the sole to an excessive extent, or a long metatarsal bone which takes extra pressure
    • Claw or hammer toes which press the metatarsals down towards the ground
    • Stiff ankle which cannot be drawn up to right angles with the leg but points the foot down to the ground
    • A bunion or arthritis in the big toe can weaken the big toe and throw extra stress onto the ball of the foot. 
    • A stretched or irritated nerve in the ball of the foot (neuroma) or behind the ankle (tarsal tunnel syndrome) can produce pain in the ball of the foot. Diabetes can also produce irritation of the small nerves in the foot leading to a burning pain. 
    • Athletes or walkers occasionally get stress fractures of the metatarsal bones. 
    • Arthritis, gout or inflammation of the joints in the ball of the foot can produce local pain
    Treatment of Metatarsalgia
    • Rest
    • Ice the affected area
    • Painkillers
    • Appropriate footwear
    • Silicon Shock-absorbing insoles
    • Metatarsal pads encorporated into appropriate insoles
    • Foot orthotics. Rigid or flexible as designed by your Orthotist

    Ankle Problems

    Ankle pain can be due to a number of reasons; a simple strain, footballers ankle, tibialis posterior syndrome, ligament stretches, fractures and many more. These conditions may benefit from the use of an ankle brace designed to support and protect the joint allowing the patient to continue life as normally as possible. Ankle braces come in many different form and a full assessment is necessary to determine the most suitable one.

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    Bauerfeind Malleoloc Ankle Brace

    Through the consulation process, your Orthotist will provide advice and/or asses for the most appropriate foot or ankle orthosis which will meet your individual requirements.
     
    For further information or to arrange a FREE no obligation consulatation, contact us.

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    T: 07878993824 or 07877859581

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