Total Care Podiatry

The Illiotibial band (ITB) runs down the outside of the thigh, from its origin on the outside of the pelvis at the TFL muscle down to its insertion below the knee.

Cause and Symptoms

Tensioning of the tendon will cause it to rub on the bone at the knee and this will eventually become inflamed and painful. Tensioning may occur due to injury to soft tissue or, due to inappropriate leg rotation caused by collapsing foot structure overloading the ITB. When this happens running can become very painful. If you rest, the inflammation may settle down but if the causative factors are not identified correctly, when you start to run again the symptoms are likely to return. This occurs because the band is tight the tendon will once again become inflamed.

Treatment

Initially implement rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to control acute factors. Stretch and massage of the Iliotibial band to alleviate contractile forces. Failure to stretch the Iliotibial band properly is highly likely to result in a recurrence of the injury when returning to training.

Gradual return to activity with a graded strengthening program Seek professional podiatry treatment for controlling of excessive leg rotation caused by poor foot function through prescription of foot orthoses to alleviate any mechanical strain and muscular rebalancing.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.

How are they caused?

Blisters are caused by friction from shoes or clothing, which repeatedly rubs on the skin causing friction burns. As the outer layer of skin separates from the inner layers, the space fills with lymph fluid.

Blisters are a common problem with athletes wearing in new shoes as well as athletes or walkers who take part in exceptionally long events such as marathons or endurance walks.  Blisters DO NOT need to be a normal part of sporting life and they can be prevented.

How do I prevent them?

• Ensure that shoes fit correctly
• Keep feet as dry as possible. Wet shoes and socks will cause blisters far quicker that dry ones.
• Whenever possible change socks and use a power to keep your feet dry
• Protect potential “hot spots” with a second skin (bandage) or tape

What do I do if I have a blister?

• If possible, do not “pop” the blister, however…
• If the blister is on an area of high pressure and it has not “popped”, then it may be necessary to make a small hole at the edge of the blister with a pin or needle. The pin or needle can be sterilized by passing it through a flame.
• Do not drain a blood filled blister
• Drain the fluid and leave as much of the skin as possible covering the wound. This will help protect the area from infection.
• Clean the blister with a sterilising wipe and cover with a second skin or blister plaster
• For additional security, apply tape over the top of the dressing

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.

Spraining is stretching and tearing of ligaments. The most common mechanism of injury is when the foot lands awkwardly and rolls outwards – the “inversion” sprain. Less common and typically much more debilitating is spraining due to the foot rolling inwards – the “eversion” sprain. Most commonly the anterior talo-fibular ligament will be sprained. In heavier sprains further ankle ligaments and tendons may be involved.

Causes

A sudden change in direction, poor muscle control, poor proprioception and poor foot structure (excessively high or flat arches) are typically involved in ankle sprains.

Treatment

Reduce swelling with rest, ice, compression, & elevation (RICE) immediately. Protect with strapping, bandage and or crutches if necessary.

Professionally seek aid of podiatrist for:

• Massage
• Immobilisation
• Stretching/strengthening
• Electro therapy
• Proprioceptive exercise

Finally, ensure that any underlying structural fault of the foot is addressed by a podiatrist to minimise reoccurrence.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.

What is Turf Toe?

Turf toe is a sprain to the ligaments around the big toe joint, which works primarily as a hinge to permit up and down motion. An excessive upward motion called hyperextension can — either over time or, if forceful enough, all at once — cause a sprain in the ligaments that surround the joint. The most common symptom of turf toe is pain at the base of one big toe that started suddenly as a result of an injury. There may also be swelling. Sometimes when the injury occurs, a “pop” can be felt. Usually the entire joint is involved, and toe movement is limited.

What causes Turf Toe?

Typically with turf toe, the injury is sudden. It is most commonly seen in athletes playing on artificial surfaces, which are harder than grass surfaces and to which cleats are more likely to stick. It can also happen on a grass surface, especially if the shoe being worn doesn’t provide adequate support for the foot. Often the injury occurs in athletes wearing flexible soccer-style shoes that let the foot bend too far forward.

How Is Turf Toe Treated?

The basic approach to treating turf toe is to give the injury ample time to heal, which means the foot will need to be rested. The big toe may be taped or strapped to the toe next to it to relieve the stress on it; the toe may be immobilized by putting the foot in a cast or special walking boot that keeps it from moving. The podiatrist may also ask you to use crutches so that no weight is placed on the injured joint.

It typically takes two to three weeks for the pain to subside. After the immobilization of the joint ends, some patients require physical therapy in order to re-establish range of motion, strength, and conditioning of the injured toe.

Your podiatrist can also work with you on correcting any problems in your gait that can lead to injury and on developing training techniques to help reduce the chance of injury.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.