Foot and ankle injuries
When you injure your foot or ankle, these injuries can often last and last. If you roll and ankle or have long standing chronic heel pain, booking yourself in for an appointment with one of our podiatrists is a great way to get the specific help you need.
We have a range of options to treat acute (recent) and chronic (longer term) injuries.
Here are some of the things we will be able to offer you for a foot and ankle injury.
Click on the service you are interested in:
A musculoskeletal assessment involves an examination of the lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, muscle strengths and weaknesses. It is a combination of biomechanical assessment, gait analysis and other clinical assessments based on your presentation and symptoms.
Biomechanical assessments and orthotics
A biomechanical assessment involves an examination of the lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, muscle strengths and weaknesses.
The foot is a complex structure of 28 different bones, 214 ligaments and 38 muscles, that must work together synergistically to allow us to walk and run.
Gait analysis
The examination is not focused solely on the foot but includes careful observation of the pelvis, legs and knees during gait (walking) as well as assessing the relationship between them. It is important to examine the lower limbs as a whole because they are closely connected and pain in one area can be due to a weakness or structural problem in another area.
The assessment itself is made up of 3 parts.
1) A thorough medical history 2) an on-couch examination where you will need to lie on your front back 3) walking or running examination. We are now using the brilliant Footscan pressure mat.
From these three aspects of examination, your podiatrist will be able to identify the range and quality of motion through your lower limb joints and muscles and identify any structural or functional issues surrounding your lower limb mechanics.
Treatment plans and orthotics (including sports orthotics)
Your podiatrist will be able to prescribe an individual treatment plan including a range of exercises, stretches and manufacture some insoles (orthotic devices) which you can place in your shoes to correct the particular issue identified. The type and style of orthotic depends on an individual’s needs.
It is usually good practice to try a simple handmade or ‘chair side’ orthotic to enable the podiatrist to ‘fine tune’ the correction.
Once a perfect prescription has been identified, more permanent orthotics (Phits 3D printed or made from carbon fibre or a range of plastics) can be manufactured in laboratories. These cost significantly more, however they have a prolonged duration along with a manufacturer’s guarantee
K-Laser is a leader in treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.If you have any from the list below we would certainly recommend having a consultation to discuss how we can help you.
Ankle and Foot
- Sprains & Sports Injuries
- Arthritis of joints
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Plantar Fascitis
- Heel Pain
Knee
- Sports Injuries
- Baker’s Cyst
- Meniscus/Ligament Injuries
- Acl/Pcl Injuries
- Osgood-Schlatter’s
- Arthritis
- Post-Knee Replacement
There are several ways in which laser therapy can help these conditions.
First, it can reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the removal of inflammatory substances. This can help to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Secondly, laser therapy can stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that is essential for the maintenance and repair of connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. This can help to speed up the healing process and improve the strength and flexibility of the affected tissues.
Finally, laser therapy can help to reduce pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This can provide immediate pain relief and may also reduce the need for pain medication.
What Happens During Treatment?
Laser light will be shone on the skin surface from a probe, over and around the condition site. Treatments will be repeated at regular intervals depending on the condition we are treating. The only sensation you will feel is a warmth.
When Will I Start Feeling Better?
Some people notice change after only one treatment, but most people will notice a reduction in pain by treatment three.
How Long Will The Effects Last?
- When there is a reduction in pain it will usually last from 24 to 48 hours.
- For acute cases therapy is usually finished after the first treatment series of 6
- For chronic cases therapy may need to be administered on an ongoing basis to maintain results.
We are now offering Extra-corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for patients with lower limb tendon and soft tissue injuries. These include plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis.
Conditions treated:
Plantar fasciitis (plantar fasicopathy)
Achilles Tendonitis (Achilles tendinopathy)
Other lower limb soft tissue injuries.
We have invested in the truly excellent EMS Swiss Dolorcast master system which has an increasing body of peer reviewed evidence surrounding its effectiveness.What is it?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment in which a device is used to pass acoustic shockwaves at a set frequency through the skin to the affected area. It is purely a mechanical wave- not an electric one. Shockwave is an accepted intervention in the UK and treatment may provide pain relief for chronic tendinopathies.
How does it work?
The treatment initiates a pro inflammatory response in the affected tissue that is being treated. The body responds by increasing the blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area which accelerates the body’s own healing processes. The shockwaves can break down injured tissues and calcifications. As a result of cellular tissue micro-trauma, it can provide a temporary analgesic effect on afferent nerves providing immediate pain relief, known as ‘hyper-stimulation anaesthesia’.
How is the shockwave delivered?
The painful area is located by palpation. The treatment is delivered via a compressed air impulse through a hand held piece attached to the shockwave machine. The shockwave radiates out through the head into the affected area. Contact gel will be applied to the skin to improve the transmission of the shockwave.
Why choose ESWT?
Shockwave therapy stimulates and supports the body’s self-healing mechanisms. ESWT is a non-invasive treatment modality- there are no medications such as cortisone or surgery involved. There are no major safety concerns associated with ESWT. It is common to have some immediate pain relief and studies have shown positive outcomes in approx. 70% of cases. It is included in the NICE guidelines for the management of refractory (chronic) tendinopathies involving conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and tennis elbow but can be used for most common tendinopathies.
Click here to read clinical trials in peer reviewed literature.
Are there any Contraindications or Precautions to be aware off?
ESWT is not allowed if you are pregnant.
ESWT application is also not indicated if the following criteria apply:
- Lung tissue in direction of sound fields
- Presence of a Cardiac pacemaker
- Has had a Cortico-Steroid injection in the area in past 3 months
- Over or near bone growth centers until bone growth is complete
- Malignancy is known to be present in or near the treatment area
- Treatment site has open wounds, skin rashes, swollen, inflamed, or infected areas
- Over ischemic tissues in individuals with vascular disease
- Coagulation disorder or taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications
- Infection at the treatment site to avoid the risk of spreading
- History of latex allergy or allergy to coupling solution
What to do following the treatment?
There are no restrictions after the treatment session- you may continue with your normal activities. You may use simple painkillers if still in pain. Do not use anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen/Voltarol or use ICE on the treated area as both will affect the body’s inflammatory and healing process stimulated by the shockwave treatment.
Pain relief may be felt immediately but long term effects are normally seen after 3 months. All patients should be reviewed after 6-12 weeks by their referring clinician after having completed the course of shockwave treatment.
Further Information:
If you require any further information regarding our shockwave service please contact us.
Email: cheltenham@supafoot.com
Call: 01242 321242
The YDA trainer may be one of the most technologically advanced shoes in the world. Designed to relieve pain and offer support for diabetics and people recovering from foot injuries, the YDA’s are the height of orthotic excellence.
YDA’s are the creation of Optima Molliter, an Italian company you’ve probably never heard of. Optima are masters of orthotics. Their foot support technology has been helping doctors, podiatrists and orthotists around the world treat diabetes-related and neuroischaemic plantar wounds for many years. The YDA trainer is their first casual footwear creation.
When you look at the science involved in making the YDA’s you quickly understand why Optima Molliter won the Internation Innovation Award for Wearable technologies 2019.
Starting with the heel of the shoe. It has a comfortable, cushioned internal structure that protects the heel from injury by gently stabilising it during movement.
The YDA ROCKER soles are made of ultra-light E.V.A. that absorbs heel impact as the foot lands on the ground. It also contains stabilising, non-slip rubber pads that make every step a wonderful sensory experience.
On the inside of the shoe, the YDA removable sole bottoms reduce impact pressure, which reduces foot and leg fatigue thereby enhancing performance. They are lightweight, breathable and can easily be replaced with your own custom-made orthotic insert.
The internal insert of the shoe contains Spring System technology, a propulsive synthetic fiber which induces a mechanical bending action with every step.
They come with a seam-free inner lining, which envelops the foot in a protective, cushioned sheath and prevents ulceration of the skin. It also means there’s no break-in period, comfort beings on the first wear.
And finally, the laces. YDA shoes have a semi-elastic rapid lace lock system with a buckle cord clip. This allows continuous adjustment to the foot, giving you unparalleled comfort throughout the day.
All these features combined culminate in a trainer unrivaled for its comfort and promotion of wellbeing for feet.
It explains why they are the number one trainer bought by diabetics around the world and it’s why we recommend them to anyone with foot problems
Our clinics
Drop in and see us at one of our clinics or contact us.