What is Musculoskeletal Podiatry?
Adult musculoskeletal podiatry is the assessment, diagnoses and treatment of a condition or injury affecting a patient's foot, ankle or lower limb when standing or walking/running.
Diagnosis is made following a biomechanical assessment and relevant examination of the foot and leg structures including the bones, joints and soft tissues in the lower limb and/or foot. Patients are usually assessed when sitting, standing and walking/running.
What is biomechanics?
Biomechanics is the study of human mechanics and movement and the way one part the a body affects another. The feet in particular have a large influence on the rest of the body as they are the foundation on which we stand and walk.
How do you treat biomechanical problems?
Many problems, such as lower back pain, leg, ankle and foot pain can be caused or made worse by feet that aren't functioning correctly. Poor foot mechanics can also lead to the development of flat feet, bunions, deformed toes etc, as well as muscular aches and pains and recurring injury.
Treatment depends on numerous factors including, the age of the patient, activity levels, footwear etc. Treatments may include:
future footwear advice/modification- exercise regimes
- mobilisation/manipulation
- soft silicone splinting
- insoles/orthoses
- referral on to another healthcare professional i.e. orthopaedic consultant, dermatologist, rheumatologist, physiotherapist etc.
Can a biomechanical problem be cured?
A problem can only be cured if the cause is reversible, i.e. tight musculature, inappropriate footwear, poor running technique etc. Orthoses (insoles) cannot permanently change the inherited bony structure of the foot. However orthoses, combined with other elements of a treatment plan can resolve symptoms and reduce/prevent the risk of future pain/injury.
