Foot Pain
Below are a list of conditions that can result in foot pain:
Plantar Fascitis
Wide spread tenderness across the sole of the foot relating to inflammation of the plantar fascia; a tendon that runs across the bottom of the foot - responsible for reforming the arch whilst walking and running. Plantar fascitis is often accompanied by a calcaneal spur and is common during pregnancy, particularly in smaller women. Osteopathic treatment is extremely affective in treating plantar fascitis by stretching the plantar fascia and gently balancing the bones of the foot. Exercises will also be prescribed to help strengthen the arch muscles.
Advice:
- Freeze a bottle of water, cover with a tissue and roll your foot back and fourth on the cold bottle.
- Calf muscle stretches.
Plantar Fibromatosis
Local thickening of the plantar fascia that runs along the under surface of the foot, often following trauma. Can be associated with Dupreytrens contracture. Requires surgical removal.
Calcaneal spur
Caused by calcification (hardening) of a tendon that attaches onto the undersurface of the heel bone and is often associated with plantar fascitis (see above). Calcaneal spurs feel like you have a pebble in your shoe and are associated with local pain and tenderness. Osteopathic treatment aims at breaking down the calcification and whilst working with our Biomechanic Podiatrist on correcting the mechanics of the foot and leg, re-occurance will be prevented.
Calcaneal Fracture
A small stress fracture at the heel can be caused by jumping or vertical trauma. It is associated with swelling, warmth, tenderness and difficulty standing on the effected foot. Once diagnosed - rest is advised.
Calcaneal bursitis
Inflammation of the fat pad located underneath the heel. You should rest and ice your foot. Together, Osteopathic treatment and Bio-mechanical Podiatric assessment will aim at correcting your weight bearing pattern by strengthening your core postural muscles and align torsions of the ankle and knee with tailor made orthotics.
Achilles Bursitis
Swelling and tenderness of the bursae located at the back of the ankle, underlying the Achilles tendon. Can be caused by wearing tight shoes, or in dancers, runners and aged tennis players, where a lack of elasticity in the calf muscle increases the friction acting against the bursae – causing it to become inflamed.
Advice:
- Regular icing of the area
- Using a small heel lift in your shoe to take the Achilles of stretch
- Osteopathic treatment to increase the elasticity of the gastrosoleus and correct the alignment of all the muscles and bones.
- Biomechanical gait analysis
Achilles tenosynovitis, tendonitis and calcification.
The Achilles tendon can become inflamed due to tightness in calf muscle and pronation (in-turning) of the foot. Over a period of time, with repeated inflammations, the Achilles tendon can calcify and can potentially tear. At Brook Green Clinic, we start by analysing your gait, and then we examine your foot, knee and hip mechanics. A programme consisting of Osteopathic treatment and exercise is designed specifically for your recovery, because no two Achilles tendonitises are the same.
Achilles Rupture
This is requires surgical repair. Post-operative care is provided by our Osteopaths to restrict scar tissue formation which may create complication later on in other joints. Exercises will also be prescribed to improve your balance to regain stability.
Locked subtalar joint
Tenderness and stiffness felt around the ankle joint often relates to an unresolved twisted ankle. This requires mobilising by an Osteopath and its recovery is speedy.
Metatarsalgia
Pain and tenderness at the ball of the foot primarily due to a dropped arched. The ball of the foot comes into contact with the ground much sooner and heavier than normal thus bruising the 2nd and 3rd long bones of the fore-foot. Often associated with callus build up and a mobile mid foot.
Advice:
- Foam pad to be inserted inside your shoe and act as a cushion
- Osteopathic treatment will improve leg mechanics and suggest exercises that will lift your arch.
- Biomechanical gait analysis will prescribe long term orthotics.
Mortons Neuralgia
Pain, pins and needles and numbness of the 3rd and 4th toes as a result of a trapped nerve in the foot. Common in petit women who have had multiple births and in dancers.
Advice: You should avoid wearing tight shoes and seek osteopathic treatment to free the trapped nerve.
Bunion (Hallux Valgus)
There is often a genetic predisposition that is activated by wearing pointed or tight shoes. The big toe starts to deviate towards the second toe, creating damage of the cartilage at the base of the big toe. In order to prevent further deviation, it is important to carry out daily exercise to build the arches of the feet and to have quarterly treatments to stretch the capsule of the joint at the flexor hallucis brevis tendon.
Gout
Gout is episodic and acute swelling, redness and pain of both or one of the big toe joints. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood that becomes deposited in the joint and creates an inflammatory process. Prolonged, gout can lead to arthritis of the joint. At Brook Green Clinic, we identify whether the cause is related to a imbalance in your blood chemistry, food intake, hormonal or as a side effect of medication. A management plan and food plan is prepared for you in order to prevent future attacks.