Biomechanics / Sports Injuries
Plantar Fasciitis/ Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis is the most common overuse condition that is treated in clinic by the Chiropodist. Poorly managed plantar fasciitis can significantly worsen your quality of life by interfering with your ability to do day-to-day activities.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is often associated with plantar fasciitis or can be experienced on its own. Athletes such as runners are susceptible to Achilles tendonitis or the classic “weekend warrior” (people who play active sports such as basketball or tennis only on the weekends).
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma is more common in women and particularly women who wear tight fitting footwear. It can occur in people who have deformity on the forefoot which may cause a widening of the foot i.e. bunions.
Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis results in pain directly under the big toe joint when walking or running. It is prevalent in dancers and those who spend more time on the ball of their foot in sports.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains occur when there is an excessive twisting motion of the ankle and the ligaments of the ankle partially or completely tear.
Stress Fracture
Stress fractures are small, hairline cracks that could occur in any bone of the foot due to repeated stress. Stress fractures need to be treated quickly to ensure the injury does not progress into a complete fracture of the bone.
Bunions
A bunion is a term to describe the enlargement of the big toe joint (first metatarshophalangeal joint,). The displacement of the metatarsal bone from the phalanx causes a protrusion of the bone at the big toe joint.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a contracture of the small joints (interphalangeal joints) of the toes and is most common in the second toes. The claw-like deformity resembles a “hammer” and causes many secondary problems to develop.
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain
What is the plantar fascia?
The plantar fascia is a ligament attached to the heel bone (calcaneus) that divides and fans out to attach at the base of the toes (metatarsals). The plantar fascia covers muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels and acts as a bowstring on the bottom of the foot, helping the bones of the foot maintain the arch.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when there is a strain of the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament which can be very painful.
What is the cause of plantar fasciitis?
Inward roll of feet during gait (excessive pronation
High arches or flat feet
Excessive walking, standing, or running, especially on hard surfaces
Excessive weight gain over a period of 6-12 months
Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.
What are the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Worsened pain with first few steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting- this is due to the fascia becoming very relaxed at rest and when the foot elongates when walking, it then re-injures the fascia where it inserts into the heel.
Improvement in pain after mild activity
Pain is felt with applying pressure to the inside of the heel (where the fascia inserts into the heel bone).
If you have heel pain and think you may have plantar fasciitis please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Achilles Tendonitis
What is the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon at the back of the lower leg that attaches the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) into the heel (calcaneus). These muscles cause plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle joint.
What are the signs and symptoms of Achilles tendonitis?
Mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity
More-severe pain may occur after more intense activity such as prolonged running, stair climbing or sprinting.
Increased pain or stiffness in the morning with your first few steps out of bed usually improving after mild activity.
What is the cause of Achilles tendonitis?
Repetitive or intense strain on the Achilles tendon
A sudden change to the intensity of their workouts or people who participate in intense physical activity only on the weekends.
Tight calf muscles
If you have heel pain on the back of your heel and think you may have Achilles tendonitis please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Morton’s Neuroma
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
In between the metatarsal bones of the forefoot there runs nerves and blood vessels. Between the 3rd and the 4th metatarsal bones there are a set of 2 nerves. These nerves often become impinged with the surrounding bones.
What are the signs and symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?
An electric shock pain under the ball of the foot or specifically between the 3rd and 4th digits.
A sensation of numbness or tingling in the forefoot.
What causes Morton’s Neuroma?
Ill-fitting footwear, particularly narrow toe boxes, as it creates additional pressure and squeezes the bones together in the forefoot causing more impingement.
High heels put the foot in a decline position and creates more pressure for the forefoot.
If you have pain, numbness of tingling in the ball of your foot or in your toes and think you may have Morton’s Neuroma please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Sesamoiditis
What are the sesamoid bones?
There are usually two sesamoid bones located directly under the ball of the foot. These small bones are both within the flexor hallucis brevis tendon. In some people there is only one sesamoid bone. These bones protrude out from the head of the metatarsal bone allowing them to take on the brunt of your weight with every step.
Sesamoiditis refers to an inflammation of one or both of the sesamoid bones.
What causes sesamoiditis?
Overuse and repetitive impact.
Those who spend ample time on the ball of their foot in their respective sport ie: dancers, basketball players.
What are the signs and symptoms of sesamoiditis?
Pain under the ball of the foot will normally come on gradually
Swelling and inflammation.
Running is often painful under the ball of the foot and will cause the person to walk on the outside of their foot.
Shoes such as high heels will be more painful to wear due to the decline of the foot and increased pressure on the ball of the foot.
If you have pain under your big toe joint and think you may have sesamoiditis please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Ankle Sprains
What causes an Ankle Sprain?
Excessive stretching force to the ligaments of the ankle.
When the foot is turned too far inward or outward. More commonly, the ankle turns too far inward (inverted). This happens most commonly when the foot lands on an uneven surface or in a hole which causes the foot to roll.
It is a common injury for sports such as basketball where there is higher likelihood of landing on someone’s foot after jumping.
What are the signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain?
The typical symptoms of an ankle sprain are pain and swelling as well as redness and bruising.
If you have ankle pain and think you may have an ankle sprain please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Stress Fractures
What causes a stress fracture?
Stress fractures are common in athletes and caused by improper terrain while training in their sport such as hard concrete or over training.
What are the signs and symptoms of a stress fracture?
Usually the first sign of a stress fracture is pain. There is usually accompanied redness and swelling in the area.
If you have pain that is not resolving and think you may have a stress fracture please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Bunions
What causes a bunion?
Genetic predisposition- a family history of bunions increases the likelihood of developing a bunion.
Flat feet or high arches
Over-pronation- inward rolling of the foot can cause deviation of the 1st metatarsal.
Ill-fitting footwear- narrow toe box or high heels
Rheumatoid Arthritis- can cause lateral deviation of all digits including a bunion formation.
What are the signs and symptoms of a bunion?
Pain while walking at the big toe joint
Pain with any pressure at the big toe joint
Redness, swelling on or around the bump
Visible deviation of the first metatarsal and the phalanx
If you notice a bump on the inside of your big toe joint or have pain, redness or swelling in the area and think you may have a bunion please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Hammertoes
Hammertoes usually start out as a flexible deformity and can be treated conservatively to maintain motion of the joint, prevent pain and prevent rigid deformity. If left untreated, hammertoes worsen over time and become a rigid deformity that is much more difficult to treat conservatively, usually resulting in surgical intervention.
What are the causes of hammertoes?
Poor bio-mechanics of the foot
Bony changes due to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis
Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
Ill-fitting footwear- shoes are too tight/narrow
Genetic predisposition
Trauma to the affected toe
What are the signs and symptoms of hammertoes?
Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes
Corns and calluses on the top of the toe, between toes, or on the ball of the foot
Red, warm, swollen toe
Noticeable claw-like bending of the toe
Open sores (ulcers) on top of the joint
If you notice a claw-like deformity of your toe and think you may have a hammertoe please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.