|
|
|
A Board-certified pedorthist is an individual who has studied foot anatomy and pathology, biomechanics, shoe construction and modification, foot orthosis fabrication and materials, footwear fitting, and patient/practice management, and who abides by the Code of Ethics outlining responsibilities to the patient, the physician, the public and the profession. For most C.Peds, hands-on training in the field is also part of their learning process.
Back to Top |
Taken
from "sportsmedicine.about.com"
|
|
|
A
pronating foot tends to come down or roll on its inner margin. Simply
check the wear of an old pair of shoes. Excessive wear along the inner
border of the heel and forefoot of a shoe is an indication of this condition.
Please remember that some pronation is normal. However, severe pronation
can cause arch, ankle, and knee pain.
Back to Top |
|
Taken
from "qanubalance"
|
A
supinating foot tends to come down or roll on its outside margin. Simply
check
the wear of an old pair of shoes. If the shoe shows excessive wear along
the
outside border of the heel and forefoot, you are probably a supinator.
Severe
supination can cause ankle or knee pain.
Back to Top |
Taken
from "qanubalance"
|
|
What
is it?
A
shin splint is really periostitis: a tearing of the lining of the bone
away from the bone. It occurs between the knee and ankle joints. There
are two variations of this condition, anterior and medial. Which of these
develops depends on where the periosteum(lining) is being torn away from
the Tibia, and by which muscle in the leg.
How
is it caused?
Anterior Shin Splints
The tibialis anterior muscle is an antipronator
due to its insertion on the medial aspect of the foot. When overpronation
occurs, the tibialis anterior has ot fire constantly to oppose the over-overpronation,
causing swelling of the muscle. Due to the fact that the anterior compartment
of the leg is tightly constricted, the swollen Tibialis Anterior can cause
an obstruction of blood flow which can cause severe pain due to lack of
oxgen.
Medial
Shin Splints
The Tibialis Posterior is an antipronator
due to its insertion on the medial aspect of the foot. When over-pronation
occurs, the tendon of the Tibialis Posterior is stretched and pulled excessively
thereby attacking the weakest area, namely its origin on the Periosteum
of the Tibia. Small fibres of the Periosteum are torn away from the bone,
which causes pain.
Treatment
Medial and Anterior Shin Splints: suice
the problem is the overpronation, the patient should be fitted with custom
orthotics. Ice and rest will also help to relieve the inflammaton.
Back to Top
|
Taken
from the "Comfort Footcare Centre" brochure
|
 |
|
It
is the most common form of heel pain, affecting 3 million people annually.
The Plantar Fascia is a tendon-like band of tissue that runs along the
bottom of the foot. It is atached to the heel bone and to the five metatarsal
bones that are in the forefoot. The fascia has two tasks: (1) to support
the longitudinal arch of the foot; and (2) to help prevent over pronation
(foot rolls over to the inside). |
|
|
|
How
is it caused?
Plantar Fasciitis
is an inflammation of the tendon that usually occurs due to poor foot
mechanics. When the foot mechanics are faulty, the Plantar Fascia is twisted
and pulled excessively, over stretching the tendon, causing it to become
inflamed. When this band becomes overstreched, it pulls away or tears
at its attachment on the base of the heel and causes pain.
Common
Symptoms & Complaints
Pain in the
heel in the area of inflammation when pressure is first put on the foot
in the morning, or when getting up after sitting for some time. Pain usually
decreases after one has been walking around for a few minutes. At the
end of the day, pain may return, depending on the types of activity conducted.
Treatment
Successful
treatment ususally consists of reducing the stresses on the over-stretched
tendon by the use of a custom orthotic. The orthotics provide permanent
long-term relief by eliminating the excessive torsioning of the Plantar
Fascia, preventing over-pronation of the foot. Rest and ice will also
help reduce the inflammation and swelling to a minimum.
Back to Top
|
Taken
from the "Comfort Footcare Centre" brochure
|
 |
|
What
is it?
A neuroma is an irritated, pinched nerve that has
erupted because of constant compression and irritation, either between
metatarsal heads, or at the base of the proximal phalanges (the largest
bones in the toes).
|
|
|
|
|
|
How
is it caused?
A neuroma may develop
when poor biomechanical function of a foot causes a chronic irritation
of a nerve, triggering the growth of additional nerve cells.A neuroma
can also be caused by ill-fitting shoes, which squeeze the forefoot and
force it to accept almost all of the body's weight during walking or running.
Swelling of the foot for any reason may also cause a neuroma.
Common
Symptoms & Complaints
Symptoms vary
from patient to patient and can range from mild to severe. Patients will
complain of pain between the 3rd and 4th toes; sometimes numbness, as
well as a burning and a tingling sensation in the surrounding toes.
Treatment
Treatment
is based on the cause of the disorder. If the cause is from poor-fitting
shoes, change the footwear permanently. If the problem is from a biomechanical
fault, custom orthotics will work up to 80% of the time
Back to Top |
Taken
from the "Comfort Footcare Centre" brochure
|
 |
What
is it?
A Condition where the cartilage on the back of the patella (knee cap)
is irritated and painful because it rubs against the medial femoral condyle.
The back of the knee cap is covered with cartilage that normally glides
smoothly in a groove, but if the knee cap were to move off centre in that
groove during motion, it rubs against the sides of the groove.
|
|
|
How
is it caused?
There are
three major causes of Runner's Knee: weak or malfunctioning quadrideps
muscles above the knee; faulty biomechanics of the foot and lower leg;and
a dysfunctional patellar tendon below the knee. A foot that over-pronates
tends to turn the knee to the inside. This causes undue stress on the
knee joint itself, and the knee cap can deviate from its normal path in
its groove as the leg tries to compensate for the over-pronation.
Common
Symptoms & Complaints
The area becomes
swollen and inflamed, and acute pain radiates from the top of the knee
cap. Stiffness can occur when a person has been sitting with a bent leg
for a couple of hours, and the pain will become quite pronounced when
a person is going up or down stairs. In some cases, there could be occasional
painful grinding in the joint when the knee is bent.
Treatment
If the cause is a biomechanical foot fault resulting
in over-pronation, the patient should be fitted with orthotics and will
likely experience pain relief within weeks, and complete recovery within
months.
Back to Top
|
Taken
from the "Comfort Footcare Centre" brochure
|
 |
|
What
is it?
A bunion defined is a hallux (big or great
toe) valgus (deforming away from the midline). It means that there is
a deviation in the big toe joint. There are three degrees of bunions:
mild, moderate, and severe. Bunions are not hereditary, and they are typically
caused by over-pronation, which has a hereditary component, and wearing
illfitting shoes.
|
|
|
|
How
is it caused?
Normally,
toe-off occurs from the Plantar surface of the big toe. Overpronation
can cause the propulsion phase of stance to take off from the medial aspect
of the Plalanges of the big toe instead of the Plantar surface. As a result,
there is a retro grade force into the joint which pushes it out medially
and streches the joint capsule. A person winds up with a grotesquely shaped
toe as a result of opposing forces that do not counterbalance each other
without causing a deformity.
What
are the common symptoms?
Pain in the region of the first (big) toe, and demonstration
of a slight of full deformed toe.
Treatment
The problem is over-pronation: therefore the patient
should be fitted with custom orthotics and proper footwear. Recovery can
be expected to occur over a period of months. Orthotics will not cause
the physical deformity to regress, but will arrest any further progression
and likely stop the pain. It is important to note that when the bunion
is severe and requires surgery, the bunion can be corrected, but will
re-develop unless the root cause of over-pronation is corrected.
Back to Top
|
|
 |
What
Is It?
A Hammer Toe is a contracture of the proximal joint, which is the farthest
joint from the end of the toe. A mallet toe is a contracture of the distal
joint, the hoint closest to the end of the toe. When both joints are involved,
the conditiion is called a claw toe. |
|
How
is it Caused?
A Hammer Toe develops over a period of years
and unfortunately, one will not notice its development until the area
begins to hurt and fitting shoes becomes painful. When the muscles and
tendons on the top and bottom of the foot malfunction due to abnormal
biomechanics, the biomechanics of the toe involved will become abnormal.
Once a Hammer Toe forms, a corn is not too far behind.
What
are the commom symptoms?
Patients will develop pain in the toe joint
and find it more difficult and painful to fit into their shoes.
Treatment
A biomechanical fault is usually the culprit. The easiest and most conservatve
approach is to be fitted with a custom orthotic to correct the underlying
problem. In severe cases, a more invasive surgical approach is necessary.
Back to Top |
Taken
from the "Comfort Footcare Centre" brochure
|
What
is it?
The ilio-tibial band originates at the outer edge
of the pelvis and runs over the outside part of the knee joint. When the
knee contracts, the band can be stretched too tightly, causing friction
and irritation. |
 |
|
How
is it caused?
The band may be over-stretched because of a poorly
developed or very short band, causing it to be abnormally tight. Also, a
badly over pronating foot will cause an internal rotation of the leg, causing
stress to the band. Occasionally the illio-tibial band friction syndrome
will be caused by too much hill running, or by running constantly on uneven,
rough terrain.
|
What
are the common symptoms?
Pain and tenderness on the outside of the knee at
the head of the fibula and up the side of the leg. Sometimes there is
tightness in the hip. Walking up and down stairs produces pain, and there
is stiffness in the knee joint after sitting with the knees bent for more
than a couple of hours. The pain would be concentrated more on the outside
of the joint.
Treatment
A program
of exercise to properly stretch the band, ice the area to relieve discomfort,
and a change in footwear, including the use of custom orthotics to correct
the biomechanical fault.
Back to Top |
|
