Back, Hip and Knee Pain

Many people have chronic, lingering pain in their hips, knees, low back, shoulders and neck and that has not responded to traditional treatment. If you are in this group, there may be a connection between the pain you are experiencing and the way your feet function.

The knees, back and hips are the areas most often affected by abnormal foot mechanics or asymmetry in your gait. Below are just a few examples of the many mechanical abnormalities of the foot that can lead to pain in other parts of your body:

Knee Pain

The knee is is made to bend only in one direction—with the knee facing straight forward. When the foot rolls in too much (over-pronates) the leg rotates in toward the opposite leg. This causes the knee to function while pointing inward ( tibial torsion). In this position each step you take will put stress on the knee. If your knee pain is due to your foot mechanics, orthotics can be a very effective way to relieve your symptoms.

Back Pain

In a 1999 study of patients with low back pain, gait abnormalities were detected in all patients. Eighty four percent of the patients studied experienced improvement with the use of custom foot orthotics. All of the study participants had not responded to standard treatments which had included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, therapeutic injections and/or surgery. 1Dannenber, Guiliano. 1999. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Hip Pain

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a problem we commonly see that causes back and hip pain. Depending on the problem, treatment may be as simple as a lift or may require an orthosis. Patients that over pronate or supinate usually have an excessive internal and external rotation of the hip.

The Solution

Critical to relieving your pain is evaluating and treating the subtle gait abnormalities found to be a common yet untreated cause of chronic musculo-skeletal complaints. Sometimes neuro-muscular  specialist are needed.

Gait Analysis with Slow Motion Video and Digital Gait Scans

To diagnose many of these chronic and functional problems, we have a video gait analysis system as well as a state of the art Digital Gait Scan in our office.

We use a treadmill and  a video camera to record you as you are walking. Gait analysis will help identify abnormal mechanics that may be causing pain. If abnormal, a very important aspect of your treatment will be the prescription of functional foot orthotics. Orthotic therapy helps correct your movement and relieve the pain in your aching muscles and bones. The digital gait scan is a computerized system that aids with sometimes difficult diagnosis and provides a visual and numerical evidence of the condition.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Foot orthoses function in several ways to reduce pain in your knees, hips and back. The key is that each foot functions differently and our detailed examination and gait analysis will allow us to determine the best orthotic prescription for each persons mechanical abnormality.

Shoes

Shoes that offer the correct support for your foot are an integral part of any biomechanical treatment plan. We will provide you with recommendations of appropriate shoes for your foot type. Our trained staff will assist you with all your footwear needs.

Getting Started

If you are experiencing knee, hip or back pain call to schedule an evaluation in our Cornwall office to determine if your pain is affected by the mechanics of your feet.