We commonly see patients for a variety of knee pain problems. And often, podiatry can greatly help…
Patella Femoral Syndrome
Patella Femoral Syndrome ( aka ‘runners knee’, PFS) is related to poor tracking of the kneecap during walking. It is characterised by pain at the front of the knee walking up or downstairs and during prolonged sitting, swelling and clicking within the knee.
This pain is a response to inflammation of the undersurface of the knee cap. It is usually caused by a combination of factors that must be addressed for a full recovery. One of these factors is an alignment problem within the knee, which stems from poor foot posture. As the foot moves on the ground, it sets up a chain reaction in the body. If the foot is not aligned correctly, this can cause issues further up the limb, magnifying as the movement or rotation travels up to the knee.
Patella Femoral Syndrome Treatment
PFS treatment may include anti-inflammatory advice, taping, stretching, strengthening, footwear advice, activity modification and orthotic therapy. Correctly identifying your particular kind of knee pain is vital to effective treatment. We use a thorough biomechanical assessment to determine whether structural issues such as poor foot posture cause your knee pain.
Knee arthritis
As we get older, we develop wear and tear arthritis within some joints. This arthritis can be worsened by previous injuries, medical conditions, body weight and repetitive stress, usually through work or sport. Medial (inside) knee joint arthritis affects a large proportion of the population over 45 years of age. Full length laterally wedged orthotics have been clinically proven to reduce medial knee joint pain. For some patients, orthotics may be a substitute for or reduce the requirement for pain relief medication and surgery.
Osgood Schlatters Disease
Osgood Schlatters Disease is a painful condition that affects the lower portion of the knee cap. It occurs commonly in children between 9-16 years. There will be swelling in the area and tenderness to touch. The disease is related to activity, growth spurts and age. The child will often be able to point to the exact site of pain on their leg. The condition can be acute or chronic and require your podiatrists use of radiology to diagnose and provide appropriate management. At Active Podiatry, we take a detailed history, physical assessment and gait analysis to ensure the correct diagnosis of your knee pain.