Biomechanics & Orthotics
Treatments for Foot, Ankle, Heel and Lower Limb pain
Have you got heel pain when you get out of bed in the morning?
Do your feet hurt after working all day?
Do you get shin splints from running up a hill?
Does knee pain stop you going on that walk?
Is that painful ankle stopping you playing golf?
We can help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
Foot pain, ankle pain, heel pain and lower limb pain can affect your activities and affect your quality of life. It is common and if left untreated can contribute to broader problems such as inability to exercise, gain weight, feeling tired and unhappy, as well as other medical problems.
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel pain is the most common condition we treat, closely followed by Knee pain and Achilles tendinopathy. We understand the intricacies of forefoot pain, effectively treat midfoot arthritis and ankle pain, but also shin splints, calf pain, hip and postural issues. Most importantly, we understand the psycho-social impact pain can have on your general wellbeing.
Some of the causes of foot, ankle, heel and lower limb pain we treat include:
- Heel pain (Plantar fasciitis)
- Achilles tendon pain
- Bunion
- Forefoot pain
- Metatarsal stress fracture
- Ankle pain
- Sinus Tarsi Syndrome
- Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or Shin Splints
- Exercise Induced Lower Leg Pain
- Knee / Hip / Back Pain / Postural Fatigue
- Chronic Pain & Arthritis
What to Expect From Your First Visit
The Podiatrist will take a full history to fully understands how the pain started and the pattern of intensity and frequency of the pain, as well as the site/s where the pain manifests and under what circumstances.
An in depth assessment is then carried out which includes examinations of the lower limbs, particularly the structure and alignment of the shoulders, pelvis, knees, legs and feet at rest and weight-bearing. Sometimes a weakness in one area can lead to pain or structural problem somewhere else.
The examination also includes muscle tests, pain score and gait assessment using the latest in gait analysis equipment, Digitsole Pro which will pick up detail not detected by the naked eye.
Treatments we may include:
- Advice on pain control / rest / footwear advice
- Lifestyle and / or sports evaluation and advise relating to the problem
- Strapping or padding
- Stretching, strengthening and proprioception exercises supported by videos
- Custom-made orthotics
- Over the counter orthotics
- Soft tissue or joint mobilisation therapy
- Western Medical Acupuncture of the lower limb
- Steroid injection therapy
- Referral to a Surgical Podiatrist
- Referral to a Sports Therapist
- Referral to MSK Extended Scope Specialist Podiatrist Scott Alldrick at Reid Podiatry Clinic
How can we help?
Our Podiatrist will diagnose the cause of your problem and recommend an individualised Treatment Plan to deal with the cause and not just the symptoms. We tailor our treatments to the individual to ensure the best outcome for our patients and get you back doing the activities you enjoy.
A minimum of 3 appointments and 4th review appointment is recommended to achieve best results.
Biomechanic Assessment – £140 (60 min appointment),
Biomechanic Review Appointment – £120 (60 min appointment)
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A biomechanical assessment focuses on the legs and feet to assess their form, position, strength and uncover any functional weakness. By doing this, we can check the overall health of your lower body and identify the cause of any foot, ankle or heel problem.
What are Orthotics?
An orthotic is a medical device which is custom made to the patient’s own individual needs from a presccription based on findings from a biomechanics assessment and gait analysis. Orthotics are an effective way to reduce pain and discomfort in your every day activities when walking or doing high impact sports such as running, football, skiing, golf, hiking and cycling to name a few.
Orthotics are made from light, durable materials such as polypropylene of EVA or 3D printed and can be modified so they are slim or have deeper heel cups to give more support and shock absorption during gait. By wearing orthotics heel pain can be reduced along with as well as giving pain relief in other areas of the foot by supporting the musculoskeletal structure in specific areas.
What is a PodoSmart Gait Analysis?
The PodoSmart gait Analysis system uses the latest technology to accurately measure your walking or running profile in just a few minutes. Smart insoles featuring in built sensors that detect the smallest foot movements and an integrated micro-processor that calculates biomechanical data are inserted into your shoes. A short walk or run is carried out to collect detailed information on your walking or running profile. The results are transferred to a PC or tablet by Bluetooth and analysed by the Podiatrist to provide a comprehensive review of your biomechanical efficiency. Results can be reviewed at a future date for comparative analysis if required.
Gait analysis using Podosmart system is included in the price of a Biomechanical Assessment.
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What should I bring with me to a Biomechanical or MSK assessment?
What is the difference between Custom Made Orthotics and Over the Counter Orthotics?
Poor foot function can lead to pain in the foot and ankle and deformity. Greater strain can be put on already poorly functioning feet during exercise or sporting activities such as golf, running, walking. Orthotics worn inside the shoe help improve foot function, enable you to walk or partake in high impact sports more efficiently thus reducing strain and pain, deterioration of deformity and improve performance.
Over the counter orthotics come in many sizes and standard fits. They are useful to help with minor foot discomfort as a temporary fix. They have limited foot control and have a limited life, needing to be replaced regularly. They are relatively cheap to buy, and we carry a range of good over the counter orthotics in the clinic for use as temporary devices.
Custom made orthotics on the other hand, are made to an exact prescription of your foot. The rigid, lightweight polypropylene or EVA shell will last for many years and the cover can be replaced as required. They can be manufactured with deep heel cups, slim fit and other modifications within the shell to enhance your foot performance.
How much do appointments cost?
We tailor our treatments to the individual so depending on what we discover offered treatments are priced as follows:
- Biomechanics Package (3 appointments and a FREE 4th review – £360
- Biomechanics & Gait Analysis Assessment (60 mins) – £140
- Biomechanics Review (60 mins) – £120
- Custom made Orthotics – polypropylene from £350
- Custom made Orthotics – EVA from £180
- Steroid Injection – £60 – £95
- Guided ultrasound joint steroid injection – £200
- Ostenil injection into joints in foot – £100
- Ostenil injection into ankle joint – £150
- Ostenil Plus – £225