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Most injuries share an essential component known as
inflammation. As the injury becomes more chronic, immobility
(stiffness) occurs and limits the normal mechanics of the
surrounding joints. If walking is impaired from an injury, the
healing process is delayed. With orthotic intervention, gait
(walking) is normalized and excessive pronation is reduced,
the body can start to heal by releasing the tension imposed
on it from the faulty foot mechanics. When the appropriate
ground reaction forces can disperse, the ankle, knee and hip
joints have less stress added to them. Healing occurs when
the correct biomechanical alignment and mobility (movement)
are in place. Excessive pronation typically creates too much
movement and torsion, thus creating wear and tear of joints
and soft tissue (muscle and tendon) strain. By controlling
excessive pronation, the ankle, knee and hip joint can all
move with ease and comfort.
inflammation. As the injury becomes more chronic, immobility
(stiffness) occurs and limits the normal mechanics of the
surrounding joints. If walking is impaired from an injury, the
healing process is delayed. With orthotic intervention, gait
(walking) is normalized and excessive pronation is reduced,
the body can start to heal by releasing the tension imposed
on it from the faulty foot mechanics. When the appropriate
ground reaction forces can disperse, the ankle, knee and hip
joints have less stress added to them. Healing occurs when
the correct biomechanical alignment and mobility (movement)
are in place. Excessive pronation typically creates too much
movement and torsion, thus creating wear and tear of joints
and soft tissue (muscle and tendon) strain. By controlling
excessive pronation, the ankle, knee and hip joint can all
move with ease and comfort.
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The Achilles tendon is located in the lower calf region. It is an extension of the
gastrocnemius muscle as it becomes a tendon and wraps into the calcaneus (heel bone).
The tendon sheath becomes easily inflamed with excessive friction or torsion. More
specifically faulty foot mechanics, such as pronation, create torsional forces from the
midfoot causing overstretching of the tendon. Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the
tendinous sheath) presents as pain behind the heel, or pain in the calf (lower leg area).
This condition is primarily seen with excessive pronation in combination with high
impact activities such as running. Treatment approaches include correcting the faulty
gait mechanics by controlling excessive pronation. This will allow the tendon to have
less friction and improved circulation for healing. Other treatment techniques include
ice to the musculotendionous junction of the Gastrocnemeus and Achilles region, active
rest to the area (rest from the high impact activities), passive stretching, eccentric
strengthening, and cross training with other non-impact activities to decompress the
lower extremity.
gastrocnemius muscle as it becomes a tendon and wraps into the calcaneus (heel bone).
The tendon sheath becomes easily inflamed with excessive friction or torsion. More
specifically faulty foot mechanics, such as pronation, create torsional forces from the
midfoot causing overstretching of the tendon. Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the
tendinous sheath) presents as pain behind the heel, or pain in the calf (lower leg area).
This condition is primarily seen with excessive pronation in combination with high
impact activities such as running. Treatment approaches include correcting the faulty
gait mechanics by controlling excessive pronation. This will allow the tendon to have
less friction and improved circulation for healing. Other treatment techniques include
ice to the musculotendionous junction of the Gastrocnemeus and Achilles region, active
rest to the area (rest from the high impact activities), passive stretching, eccentric
strengthening, and cross training with other non-impact activities to decompress the
lower extremity.
The Posterior Tibial tendon is located just behind the medial malleolus (inside ankle
bone). It inserts into the navicular bone of the foot. It is an extension of the Tibialis
Posterior muscle, located in the lower calf. This muscle helps to maintain the arch of the
foot. Faulty foot mechanics such as pronation, create an eversion (inside of ankle drops
down) and abduction (foot turns outward) strain thus inflaming the tissue.
This condition is common in runners and high impact athletes. Symptoms include pain
and swelling behind and slightly below the medial malleoli (inside ankle bone). If the
tendon ruptures, the foot appears flat (pes planus type foot) with no apparent arch.
Treatment approaches include correcting the faulty gait mechanics (primarily
pronation), active rest, ice the painful area, passive stretching and cross train with other
non-impact activities to decompress the lower extremity.
bone). It inserts into the navicular bone of the foot. It is an extension of the Tibialis
Posterior muscle, located in the lower calf. This muscle helps to maintain the arch of the
foot. Faulty foot mechanics such as pronation, create an eversion (inside of ankle drops
down) and abduction (foot turns outward) strain thus inflaming the tissue.
This condition is common in runners and high impact athletes. Symptoms include pain
and swelling behind and slightly below the medial malleoli (inside ankle bone). If the
tendon ruptures, the foot appears flat (pes planus type foot) with no apparent arch.
Treatment approaches include correcting the faulty gait mechanics (primarily
pronation), active rest, ice the painful area, passive stretching and cross train with other
non-impact activities to decompress the lower extremity.
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that extends from the heel (medial tubercle of the
calcaneous) along the arch of the foot, and attaching to the base of the toes (proximal
phalanx in each toe). Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory process of this structure,
primarily caused by a muscle imbalance between the gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis
muscle groups and faulty gait mechanics. Excessive pronation creates a faulty push off
phase of gait and creates too much wear and tear of the plantar fascia. This wear and
tear affect creates inflammation and possible micro tearing of the fascia, creating scar
tissue development and further tissue degeneration.
Treatment plan: By controlling the excessive pronation at push-off phase of gait, the plantar
fascia can have a normal amount of tension and remain at a healthy state. In addition to
controlling the pronation, symmetry between the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles
groups with regards to strength and flexibility are also important.
calcaneous) along the arch of the foot, and attaching to the base of the toes (proximal
phalanx in each toe). Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory process of this structure,
primarily caused by a muscle imbalance between the gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis
muscle groups and faulty gait mechanics. Excessive pronation creates a faulty push off
phase of gait and creates too much wear and tear of the plantar fascia. This wear and
tear affect creates inflammation and possible micro tearing of the fascia, creating scar
tissue development and further tissue degeneration.
Treatment plan: By controlling the excessive pronation at push-off phase of gait, the plantar
fascia can have a normal amount of tension and remain at a healthy state. In addition to
controlling the pronation, symmetry between the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles
groups with regards to strength and flexibility are also important.
This condition presents as side of the hip pain and stiffness, sometimes all the way down the
side of the leg. Faulty biomechanics plays a role here with the angle of the leg structures
affecting hip movement and orientation. Excessive pronation creates an internal rotation of
the tibia (lower leg bone), which further affects the femur (upper leg bone) rotating internally
as well. This excessive rotation creates an imbalance of soft tissue structures, creating pain
and stiffness to the side of the leg.
Treatment includes correcting the faulty foot mechanics through an orthotic device,
stretching the side of the leg, into the piriformis and gluts region (buttocks area). Also
included in healing this condition is correcting overall sitting and standing posture to create
symmetry throughout the hips and pelvic region. Recommendations include sitting with both
feet flat on the floor (no crossing the legs), sitting in a neutral
spine position (not too arched, not too slumped), and standing with equal weight on both
legs.
side of the leg. Faulty biomechanics plays a role here with the angle of the leg structures
affecting hip movement and orientation. Excessive pronation creates an internal rotation of
the tibia (lower leg bone), which further affects the femur (upper leg bone) rotating internally
as well. This excessive rotation creates an imbalance of soft tissue structures, creating pain
and stiffness to the side of the leg.
Treatment includes correcting the faulty foot mechanics through an orthotic device,
stretching the side of the leg, into the piriformis and gluts region (buttocks area). Also
included in healing this condition is correcting overall sitting and standing posture to create
symmetry throughout the hips and pelvic region. Recommendations include sitting with both
feet flat on the floor (no crossing the legs), sitting in a neutral
spine position (not too arched, not too slumped), and standing with equal weight on both
legs.
The front of the shin has a complex group of muscles and tendons that are easily
strained with faulty foot mechanics. The two major bones of the lower leg (tibia and
fibula) are connected with an interosseous membrane that also gets strained when
excessive motion occurs. Inflammation of this region occurs when there is a muscle
imbalance between the front of the shin muscles and the calf muscles. Biomechanically,
overpronation creates a malalignment of these structures and creates a torsional stress
to the interosseous membrane in between the two lower leg bones. Pain results with
tightness and possible limping to protect the area.
This condition is common in high impact activities, such as running, jumping and
aerobic dancing. Symptoms include pain and swelling over the front (anterior aspect) of
the shin. Treatment approaches include correcting excessive pronation to allow the
interosseous membrane to heal, stretch the front and back aspects of the lower leg,
strengthen the lower leg symmetrically (front and back), ice the area, active rest and
cross train with other non-impact activities to allow the area to heal.
strained with faulty foot mechanics. The two major bones of the lower leg (tibia and
fibula) are connected with an interosseous membrane that also gets strained when
excessive motion occurs. Inflammation of this region occurs when there is a muscle
imbalance between the front of the shin muscles and the calf muscles. Biomechanically,
overpronation creates a malalignment of these structures and creates a torsional stress
to the interosseous membrane in between the two lower leg bones. Pain results with
tightness and possible limping to protect the area.
This condition is common in high impact activities, such as running, jumping and
aerobic dancing. Symptoms include pain and swelling over the front (anterior aspect) of
the shin. Treatment approaches include correcting excessive pronation to allow the
interosseous membrane to heal, stretch the front and back aspects of the lower leg,
strengthen the lower leg symmetrically (front and back), ice the area, active rest and
cross train with other non-impact activities to allow the area to heal.
This condition presents as general knee pain around the knee cap (patella) and often
off to one side of the joint. It is caused by a muscle imbalance between the inside
quadriceps muscle (VMO: vastus medialis oblique) and the outside quadriceps muscle (VL:
vastus lateralis).When these two muscle groups contract at different rates and with different
intensities, the knee cap can disorient itself and be pulled off track. Normally the knee cap
should slide up the femoral groove in the upper leg bone (femur) as the leg extends. But this
condition typically pulls the knee cap off to the side causing increased wear and tear to the
femoral condyles. Inflammation and pain then result, causing changes in the knee joint
mobility (movement), resulting in limping or change in the weight bearing status. This
condition can also be related to excessive pronation, creating internal rotation of the tibia
(lower leg bone) and changing the orientation of the knee joint. This form of faulty gait
mechanics can also create uneven wear and tear to the meniscus in the knee joint over
time.
Treatment plan includes correcting the faulty foot mechanics through an orthotic device.
Training for muscle symmetry of the quadriceps is also important, with a focus usually
towards developing the VMO more than the VL. Stretching the lateral (outside) leg
structures such as the Iliotibial (IT) band will help decrease the pressure on the knee. Ice
and soft tissue massage also assist in the healing of this disorder.
off to one side of the joint. It is caused by a muscle imbalance between the inside
quadriceps muscle (VMO: vastus medialis oblique) and the outside quadriceps muscle (VL:
vastus lateralis).When these two muscle groups contract at different rates and with different
intensities, the knee cap can disorient itself and be pulled off track. Normally the knee cap
should slide up the femoral groove in the upper leg bone (femur) as the leg extends. But this
condition typically pulls the knee cap off to the side causing increased wear and tear to the
femoral condyles. Inflammation and pain then result, causing changes in the knee joint
mobility (movement), resulting in limping or change in the weight bearing status. This
condition can also be related to excessive pronation, creating internal rotation of the tibia
(lower leg bone) and changing the orientation of the knee joint. This form of faulty gait
mechanics can also create uneven wear and tear to the meniscus in the knee joint over
time.
Treatment plan includes correcting the faulty foot mechanics through an orthotic device.
Training for muscle symmetry of the quadriceps is also important, with a focus usually
towards developing the VMO more than the VL. Stretching the lateral (outside) leg
structures such as the Iliotibial (IT) band will help decrease the pressure on the knee. Ice
and soft tissue massage also assist in the healing of this disorder.
How do Orthotics help prevent and heal injuries?
Achilles Tendonitis
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Anterior Shin Splints
Plantar Fasciitis
Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): Knee pain
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IT Band): aka Hip pain
Orthotic Sandal Company