Common Conditions

Achilles Tendon Injury

 

The Achilles tendon commonly becomes injured, in the sporting population, but can also be aggravated by shoes or any activity that involves raising your heels off the ground. The condition is managed in a structured way. 

 

Following an assessment, a structured treatment plan can be devised which in general includes stretching and strengthening exercise, measures to reduce irritation to the sore area, footwear advice and foot orthoses.

 

Ankle pain

 

The causes of ankle pain are many and varied. Symptoms can be due to the injury of tendons surrounding the ankle joint although other causes include arthritis, ligaments sprains and dysfunctional pain.  Most patients respond well to conservative treatment, and whilst it may not cure the problem in some patients, it allows them to remain active and continue with their chosen activities. 

 

Many patients involved in sports complain of chronic ankle instability. Often, the problem is treated conservatively as the first intervention with appropriate rehabilitation, footwear advice, manipulation and specialised orthoses and splinting. 

Axiomatic Biomechanics Consultancy is experienced in the use and fitting of the Richie Brace, a proprietary brace developed in the United States of America.  It can be particularly effective in stabilising the ankle in the outward direction and supporting the foot on the inside for those that need it. 

 

Back pain

 

The connection between compromised back function and foot and leg mal-alignment is well documented. In most cases, back pain is caused, at least in part, by the presence of abnormal biomechanical forces. Dysfunctional misalignments, so that effective treatment can be expedited.

 

As the foot contacts the ground, forces are applied to the foot (and up the lower limb).  Foot dysfunction can cause altered forces at the hip, knee and foot leading to a loss of normal forward progression of the body.  The presence of leg length differences and also affect the pelvic and spinal alignment.

 

 

Toe Deformities

 

Toe deformities arise through poor foot function.  As long as the deformity is not fixed, conservative treatment can be very effective. Mobile hammer toes, claw toes and early “bunions” (hallux abducto-valgus), can all be improved. If the deformity is well established or fixed, surgery may be the only option. For those not keen on the idea of foot surgery, often changes in footwear and a simple spacer in between the toes can help digital

 

Metatarsalgia & Forefoot Pain

 

There are many causes of pain in the forefoot, some of the most common is the loss of plantar fat padding and prominent metatarsal heads, capsulitis, Morton’s neuralgia and stress fractures. Also, conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis can first present as forefoot pain. Diagnosis is essential for the management of metatarsalgia. Most causes of metatarsalgia respond well to conservative treatments, those that don’t may benefit from surgery.

 

Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain

 

Plantar fasciitis is a very overused description of many different types of heel pain.  It is important that your heel pain is diagnosed correctly for treatment to be effective.  The condition is managed in a structured way and often, a single line of treatment is not enough to resolve heel pain and combination treatments are required.

 

Arch pain

 

This can be caused by pain from the plantar fascia, but the most arch pain is due to simple muscle and ligament strains caused by poor foot function over a prolonged period of time.  Arthritis can affect the joints of the midfoot, most commonly on the top of the foot and, if dealt with early with conservative treatments can reduce the need for surgery in later life.

 

Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction 

 

Tibialis posterior is a very important muscle, which comes from the back of the leg, past the ankle and attaches under the foot. A weakening of this muscle is painful and serious to your foot health because of the risk of increased foot deformity as well as severely affecting your ability to remain as mobile as you would like.  You are more likely to need a very supportive device for this problem, particularly if the condition has been troubling you for several months. Arch pain should be checked if it persists for over two weeks.