Knee pain from running? Here are some tips on trouble shooting this injury as well as successful treatment plans for biomechanically induced knee pain.
Running can make your knees hurt. I had an email last week from a relatively new runner asking who they should see for their knee pain. I asked if they twisted, fell, or jammed their knee or if it was just a wear and tear injury? They confided that as they increased their mileage and distance, their knee pain started to increase. New shoes helped, but didn't fix their nagging pain. Sounds like a biomechanical problem to me! But it could still be a traumatic injury they can't remember...especially if they were out dancing on tables on a Friday night ... Just kidding!
Seriously, mechanically induced knee pain is extremely common in runners. A good analogy is that if you need a tire realignment on your car, the struts can wear out. Many people actually have no pain in their feet, but they are the cause of their knee symptoms.
The best way to assess a runner's knee problem is to start with a sports medicine orthopedist who can rule-out a primary knee problem, like a tear in the meniscus (cartilage), ligaments or tendons. If a primary knee problem is ruled-out, but you just keep having this nagging pain; or if your tendonitis keeps recurring in spite of being compliant with physical therapy and rest; it's time to look elsewhere for the cause.
Your feet affect the function of all their contiguous structures or in English, everything they are connected to. Yes, your feet can even cause back and neck pain!
How? Your feet affect your postural control. Postural control is the ability to maintain the body's center of mass over the supportive foot, a.k.a. being able to keep your balance. Often, balance or proprioception is lost in patients with chronic foot and ankle instability from an underlying congenital foot type. This leads to lack of postural control which leads to knee, hip and back pain a.k.a. postural symptoms. Many studies have concluded that a functional orthotic reduces postural sway and improves stability, therefore reduces further injury in patients with congenital or acquired foot and ankle instability.
How is biomechanical knee pain treated? A complete biomechancial exam can help to assess how to realign your feet and lower extremities. Functional orthotics can be made to precisely fix your foot deformities and functional abnormalities.
Bottom line, if your knee pain is chronic and you have ruled out a primary knee problem, look to your support structures known as your feet.
Got Cold Feet?
Persistent cold feet might be more than just a minor annoyance; they could be a signal from your body indicating underlying health issues. If you're not just stepping off the ski slopes or getting jittery over a looming wedding, and still find your feet unusually cold, it's time to pay attention. This condition isn't just about physical discomfort—it could be an early warning sign of several serious health problems. Consulting a podiatrist could lead to early detection and management of potential health risks.
Forefoot Pain Got You Down?
Experiencing persistent discomfort in the ball of your foot? This could be a sign of a plantar plate injury, a condition often overlooked and misdiagnosed. Understanding this injury is crucial as early intervention can prevent the need for surgical solutions. This article delves into the causes, symptoms, and treatments of plantar plate injuries, emphasizing the importance of consulting a podiatrist for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Heel Pain Slowing Your Runs?
Heel pain is one of the most common running injuries. Here are some tips to diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis; and curb your heel pain on the run.
