Hip, Knee and Shin Pain
A lot of lower body complaints may have their origin in the foot. Often the foot may not be sore itself but because of the way it reacts to the ground, a rotational force travels up the leg, through the knee joint, to the hip and into the pelvis and can cause aches and pains, usually of a repetitive strain type injury, along the way.
Some examples are:
- Shin splints you may have diffuse pain along the middle and distal thirds of the lower leg. This is typically seen in runners, but also in ballistic (i.e., jumping) activities such as basketball, dancing or racket sports. Early in the disorder, pain occurs at the beginning of a run, may resolve as the workout continues and then recurs after the workout; or it occurs only at the end of the run. In the early stages, the pain usually resolves with several minutes' rest, while in later stages the pain becomes more severe, sharper, and more persistent. In advanced stages the pain can be constant or tender to press lightly. Shin splints are fixed with a combination of podiatry and physiotherapy, see www.centralcityphysio.com.au for more information.
- At the knee there are many potential sites of pain,
- Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is a common cause of lateral knee pain, particularly among runners and cyclists. The liotibial band friction occurs where the ITB rubs over the outer part of the knee bone (lateral epicondyle) as the knee bends and straightens. If the leg is not in correct alignment, the force of the rubbing may increase leading to more pressure and more friction which causes pain and sometimes swelling on the outer part of the knee. Orthotics have been shown to quickly relieve these symptoms within a few days.
- Patello-femoral pain is pain on the front of the knee where the knee cap rubs on the knee bone. This is often felt at the front of the kneecap going up or down the stairs, after sitting in a car or bending down to a squatting position. Many people refer to it as movie goer's knee as it is often painful after prolonged sitting. The most common name for this is patellofemoral pain syndrome. Patellofemoral refers to the joint that includes the knee cap or the patella and the thigh bone or the femur. It can result from malalignment of the patella on the femur, weakness of the quadriceps muscles, especially the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO), or tight structures on the outer side of the knee. Pain may be felt behind or around the knee cap, grinding, grating or clicking noises may be heard during bending or straightening of the leg, the knee may feel like it gives-way without any particular reason or some mild swelling may be noted around the knee.
- Further up the leg the hip area is also prone to wear and tear, for example an inflamed bursa (bursitis) between the hip bone (greater trochanter) and some muscles that pass around the bone (gluteus medius/iliotibial tract) due to friction. The pain may radiate down the outer side of the thigh. Once again excessive friction caused by excessive motion at the foot can be assessed and managed by Central City Podiatry.
To make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, click below or
call 08 9221 4998.