Knee Pain

A majority of knee pain without traumatic incident is a result of poor lower limb biomechanics. If the knee rotates excessively when walking, then it can place torsional stress on the structures internal and external of the knee. Feet which roll excessively in (pronate) or out (supinate) typically cause this twisting action through the knee. Activities involving repetition of flexion and extension found in many sports may also lead to knee pain.

Two of the most common knee complaints include:

– Patello-femoral syndrome – pain and inflammation at the front of the knee and underlying the knee cap

– Illiotibial Band Syndrome  (ITB) – the ITB is a fibrous band of tissue originating at the hip and inserting on the lateral aspect of the knee. This can lead to pain and inflammation on the outside of the knee

Treatments for these conditions include orthotic therapy for control of excessive pronation or supination, stretching, strengthening exercises and rest.

Shin Splints

Painful shins are extremely common in athletes. This can happen when the muscles at the front of the shin become overused resulting in pain and inflammation. This commonly originates from excessive running, improper training program’s, poor footwear and/or flat feet. Stress fractures can result if not managed and treated properly.

Initially it is important to rest or alter the intensity or training depending on the severity. An assessment at St Agnes Podiatry will determine if your feet roll in (pronate) or out ( supinate) too much. Orthotics can help to correct this my minimising rotation of the tibia and reducing tractional stress on the muscles at the front of the shin. A strengthening and stretching program is also recommended.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon at the back of the heel. This type of injury is seen mostly in athletes but it is also seen in people who are less active. Causes include overuse injuries with runners being the most susceptible, inflammatory arthritis, poor footwear and poor foot biomechanics such as flat feet.

Treatment includes change of footwear, rest via reduced/altered training, heel cups and orthotics to reduce flat feet and strain on the tendon.

Ankle pain

There are many conditions which may cause pain around the ankle including flat feet, tendonitis, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and gout. At St Agnes Podiatry you will receive a thorough assessment and treatment of this condition.

Hip and Back Pain

A sound foundation for most structures is vital to the integrity of the structure.
Hip and low back pain without previous injury can quite often be linked to poor foot function. Excessive pronation ( flat feet) is the most commonly linked to low back pain due to altered rotation through the legs, resulting in an anterior tilt in the pelvis.

Orthotic therapy is a good start in reducing these harmful compensations which travel up the body. At St Agnes Podiatry it is believed that a holistic approach to back pain is important therefore consulting with a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor is also recommended.