Cambridge Chiropody & Podiatry Ltd
162 Histon Road, Cambridge CB4 3JP
Telephone 01223 322636
Biomechanical - Common Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Chronic Ankle Sprains
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Shin Splints
- Bunions
- Bursitis
- Leg Length Discrepancy
- Sesamoiditis
Plantar Fasciitis
Signs and Symptoms
Heel pain usually on the inside of the foot, which is normally worst first thing in the morning. After a few minutes it eases as the foot gets warmed up, but can get worse again during the day especially if walking a lot. Sometimes pain occurs on the outside of the heel, but this is often as a result of offloading the painful area on the inside.
Treatment
- Rest from aggravating activities
- Anti-inflammatory preparations or cold therapy to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Stretching the calf muscles and plantar fascia.
- Insoles/Orthoses (See a Podiatrist)
Achilles Tendonitis
Signs and Symptoms
Initially pain or stiffness is felt first thing in the morning or after activity. Swelling can be felt above the heel. Pain can be elicited by plantar-flexing the foot or standing on tip toes. This condition often occurs in either people who are increasing their level of training or those who have changed the surface on which they are training.
Treatment
- Rest from sporting activity
- Use Ice or Anti-inflammatory preparations
- Avoid stretching the calf muscles until the pain and inflammation has gone
- Avoid shoes with high heel counters to prevent irritation to the Achilles tendon.
- Orthotics to correct any underlying Biomechanical problem such as excessive pronation. (See a
- Podiatrist for a biomechanical assessment)
Chronic Ankle Sprains
Signs and Symptoms
Pain is normally present around the outside of the ankle and can feel weak as if going to give way when walking. This can be a result of a residual instability in the ankle joint.
Treatment
- Strengthening and proprioception exercises
- Use an ankle strapping or support
- Orthotics to improve lower limb alignment and stability
Neuroma
Signs and Symptoms
It can present as a burning pain under the ball of the foot, sometimes radiating to the toes and causing numbness. Pain is often worse on walking, especially in tight fitting shoes, and can be relieved by resting and removing the shoes. Squeezing the forefoot together from the sides can cause a painful click. The pain is due to a compression of the digital nerves most commonly between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals.
Treatment is more effective if started early while the symptoms are mild.
Treatment
- Footwear – Avoid high heels and choose wide fitting shoes
- Padding to cushion
- Insole/ Orthotic to spread the metatarsals and prevent the compression of the nerve. (See a Podiatrist)
- Cortisone Injection
Shin Splints
Signs and Symptoms
It presents as pain along the shin varying from a dull ache to a sharp stabbing pain. Initially the pain is present after an activity and progresses to pain during an activity, and then at its most severe pain occurs even on everyday activities such as walking. It is one of the most common causes of lower leg pain amongst runners.
Treatment
- Rest from sporting activity until pain completely resolves
- Icing
- Anti-inflammatory preparations
- Appropriate footwear
- Orthotics to control any biomechanical abnormality e.g excessive pronation (See a Podiatrist)
Bunions
Signs and Symptoms
This is the term used to describe the formation of a bony bump on the side of the big toe. As a result of this change in alignment the big toe joint does not function as effectively and can result in pain in the big toe joint or corns or callus developing under the ball of the foot. The main factors which predispose someone to the development of bunions are Heredity, Footwear, Gender and excessive pronation of the foot.
Treatment
- Protective padding
- Orthotics to control excessive pronation and improve foot function (See a Podiatrist)
Bursitis
Signs and Symptoms
Any site that has been exposed to mechanical stress such as shear and friction is likely to become inflamed resulting in the inflammation of a bursa. There is usually visible swelling and tenderness over the affected area.
Common sites for bursitis:-
- Medial aspect first metatarsal head (outside of the big toe)
- Lateral side of 5th metatarsal (outside of the 5th toe)
- Dorsal interphalangeal joints (top of the toes)
- Retrocalcaneal area (back of the heel)
Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory preparations
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- If bursitis is infected then antibiotics are required
- Change ill-fitting shoe to avoid rubbing
- Use of protective padding or gel materials to reduce stress on tissues
- Orthoses to correct any biomechanical abnormality (See a Podiatrist)
Leg Length Discrepancy
Signs and Symptoms
There are many possible symptoms which occur from LLD or as a result of the body trying to
compensate for the difference. Listed below are just a few
- Anterior knee pain
- Shin splints
- Achilles tendonitis
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot)
- Morton’s neuroma
Treatment
- Heel lift
- Orthotics incorporating a heel lift (See a Podiatrist)
Sesamoiditis
Signs and Symptoms
Gradual onset of pain under the big toe joint on weight-bearing, particularly when the big toe joint is flexed upwards (Dorsiflexed). The pain can start as a mild ache and gradually increase to an intense throbbing if the aggravating activity is continued. Tenderness may be localised to one or both of the sesamoids and callus may be present over the big toe joint. It is usually a result of repetitive stress and compression on the sesamoid and big toe joint, rather than an acute injury, leading to inflammation.
Treatment
- Rest
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Padding to reduce pressure on the painful area
- Strapping to immobilize the big toe.
- Insole/Orthotic to correct any biomechanical abnormality and reduce pressure on the sesamoids