Sports

There are a number of different structure within the foot that may cause heel pain. It is important to have a proper assessment to determine which structure may be responsible for your pain and then an appropriate treatment can be advised. One of the most common structures responsible for causing heel pain is the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a broad fan shaped strap of strong body tissue which stretches from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It helps to hold the foot bones and joints in place. When it is over stressed (over stretched) typical symptoms occur. The heels hurt most of all first thing in the morning or after a period of rest. The heels are also very sore after standing for a long time.

Sometimes known as jogger’s heel, Plantar Fasciitis is a common painful disorder affecting the heel and underside of the foot. It is a disorder of the insertion site of ligament on the bone and is characterized by scarring, inflammation, or structural breakdown of the foot’s plantar fascia. It is often caused by overuse injury of the plantar fascia, increases in exercise, weight, or age.

When your big toe is angled towards the second toe, the deformity is called a bunion (hallux valgus). This can cause a bump on the side at the base of the big toe. In addition there is often thickening of the skin and tissues next to the affected joint. The thickened skin and tissues may become inflamed, swollen and painful. Shoe fitting may also become a problem.

Capsulitis is inflammation of a joint capsule. Ligaments surround your joints, including your toe joints, and help form a capsule. Joint capsules help your joints to function properly. Capsulitis is imflammation of the joint capsule. Capsulitis is a common problem in certain parts of your body, especially your toes. Capsulitis-related inflammation may cause significant discomfort.

Tendinopathy describes two conditions that are likely to occur together: tendon inflammation, known as tendinitis (or tendonitis), and tiny tears in the connective tissue in or around the tendon, known as tendinosis. Tendinopathy usually causes pain, stiffness, and loss of strength in the affected area.

Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. Common places bursitis can occur is in your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.

Toe pain is a relatively common condition that affects a large number of individuals from time to time. There may be multiple reasons for this, but no matter what type of toe pain you may have, it is always wise to consult our podiatrist to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.

Awkward movements, falls and collisions, sudden twists, excessive force or overuse can result in a range of injuries to the knee joint and the structures supporting it. Common knee injuries include ligament, tendon and cartilage tears, and patello-femoral pain syndrome.

Shin splints, a catch-all term for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee either on the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints), are the bane of many athletes, runners, tennis players, even dancers. The nature of shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), can be exacerbated by your lower limb biomechanics.

Achilles tendinitis (Achilles tendinopathy) is tendinitis of the Achilles tendon, generally caused by overuse of the affected limb and not ideal lower limb biomechanics can exacerbate the symptoms. Symptoms can vary from an ache or pain and swelling to the local area of the ankles, or a burning that surrounds the whole joint.

A sprained ankle occurs when your ankle ligaments are overstretched. Ankle sprains vary in their severity, from mild “twisted ankle” or “rolled ankle” sprain through to severe complete ligament ruptures, avulsion fractures or even broken bones.

We prescribe orthoses – these are specially made devices for you to wear inside your shoe to control, realign or cushion abnormalities. Orthoses can be prescribed to assist with rehabilitation from a specific injury, and they can work by offloading and reducing the strain on the injured structure.

Custom exercise regimes to heal and prevent re-occurrences.

We’ll recommend the best type of footwear suitable for both your sport and your foot type and recommend appropriate orthoses if required.

After careful analysis we can provide the correct strapping and padding of your injury or abnormality to provide support and correction. Strapping can be applied to the foot to reduce the strain on an injured structure and assist with healing and pain management.

This treatment usually includes prescription of or assistance with specific exercises, manual therapy, education, manipulation and other interventions.