South Melbourne Podiatry in South Melbourne, Victoria | Medical and health

South Melbourne Podiatry

Locality: South Melbourne, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9699 1088

Address: 245 Park Street 3205 South Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.southmelbournepodiatry.com.au

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05.01.2022 Arch Supports or orthotics are often misunderstood and under utilised in treating lower limb pathology. Over the next couple of posts, we will go through some basic concepts and uses of custom/non-custom orthotics, and how it may benefit you. The example I will be using is a patient who is suffering from heel pain, with restricted big toe extension. Assessment of the big toe is vital when treating patients who are suffering from lower limb pathology, especially in those wit...h heel, shin and knee pain. It is generally agreed upon that a minimum of 65 degrees of big toe extension whilst walking/running is essential. The importance of great toe extension is that it helps control an integral function of the foot called the windlass mechanism. When the big toe extends, it lifts the arch and the heel, causing the the foot to become rigid. This process helps absorb and release elastic energy efficiently whilst walking/running. If the mechanisms efficiency is reduced due to a restricted big toe joint, extra load will be placed on the lower limbs. As seen in the picture, the orthotic instantly allows the big toe to have better extension. It does this through laterally deviating the subtalar joint (a topic for another day), and facilitates stability throughout walking/running. With the patients heel pain, other treatment modalities may need to be used such as dry needling, foot mobilisation, prolotherapy etc. However, addressing the mechanical risk factors will ensure that once the heel pain is eradicated, no other complications will arise.

01.01.2022 Reduced ankle joint range of motion (ROM) can cause the adoption of compensatory walking/running patterns such as hyperextension of the knee, an early heel lift or excessive subtalar joint pronation. These subtle dynamic changes have been linked to lower limb pathology including Achilles tendinopathy, metatarsal stress fractures, hallux rigidus and specifically plantar heel pain. Therefore, determination of ankle join ROM has become an important assessment for podiatrists an...d other health practitioners. ROM less than 10 degrees during ankle dorsiflexion is considered inadequate and may require intervention. There are many ways to begin improving ankle joint ROM, but studies have shown that the most effective technique is active stretching. This can be complemented by adding simple mobilisation to the treatment plan to improve function rapidly. Here, Seamus Hayes demonstrates a simple but effective ankle joint ROM mobilisation technique we frequently use.