Sports Biomechanics & Orthoses

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Are you Prone to over-pronate? Try a motion control orthotic.

If you overpronate, like many runners out there, you will know what a pain it can be. Overpronation, for those of you not familiar with the term, is an inward rolling of the foot during a running stride. While all runners pronate to a certain extent, some of us (usually with flat feet) turn our foot TOO far inward when we push off. This can lead to a number of injuries, including shin splints, IT band syndrome, and heel spurs.

 

One way to counter over-pronation is by wearing a foot orthotic specifically designed to control your running gait. Motion control orthoses support the flat arches that most over-pronators possess, helping them to have a more controlled gait.

An over pronated foot, or flattening arch, causes knees and hip to turn inwards. This results in abnormal torsion in the legs and feet. It can be responsible for Achilles tendonitis, ITB syndrome, lateral tracking patellae and low back pain.

Are you a Supinator?

Some athletes use the outside edge of the foot and do not pronate enough. Muscle and joint pains can eveop due to lack of shock absorption in this foot type. Common symptoms include ankle sprains, peroneal muscal strains or tendontis and heel pains. Pressure plate data, showing abnormal peak pressures in the a left supinated forefoot (see image, left). This type of pressure can cause the formation of pain in the metatarsal, stress fracture, bursitis and poor toe function. An athlete depends on even forefoot pressure for propulsion forwards from the toes.

 

 

 

The Pressure plate graph (see image, left) shows higher pressures in the left forefoot on the outside edge of the foot. In normal circumstances this area has much lower pressures; The highest pressures are normally seen on inside of the foot.

This pressure plate data shows that the big toe is not functioning normally. This usually means that running speed is reduced in an athlete. Muscle and joint pains can occur in the leg and foot as the athletes has to compensate as the big toe (hallux) is not performing properly.

The linear grey curve showing that this foot supinates, unfortunately a supinated foot has less shock absorption from the impact of running, than a pronated foot.

The sacroiliac joint assessment is an important part of gait analysis. The sacroliiac joint is between the sacrum, at the base of the spine, and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined by ligaments. It is a strong, weight bearing synovial joint with irregular elevations and depressions that produce interlocking of the bones.

Inflammation of this joint may be caused by gait abnormalities and is a cause of disabling low back pain. Gait analysis can show a higher, lower, forward or backwardly displaced sacroiliac joint. Fitter feet provide foot orthoses to create symmetrical pain free movement. An exercise program and osteopathic manipulation can also encourage normal symmetrical motion of the sacroilliac joints.

Patient information for Biomechancial Assessments at Fitter feet for life

First appointment: 45 minutes, £120

A medical history and history of your systems will be discussed.
A physical examination of you systematic structure will take place.

Your walking and or running style will be assessed in our gait laboratory.
The laboratory has cameras to film the side, back and front views. The images are played in slow motion so that each joint can be assessed for normal function and movement.

For example a leg length discrepancy can be masked when standing, but clearly apparent when walking.

You will be posted a gait report with recommendations.

Fitter feet has an X-ray tube so if indicated an x-ray can be taken to assess bone pathology. X–rays and other imaging is charged separately at standard fees.

An MRI or Ultrasound scan can be ordered to assess tissues such as tendons and muscles.

Costs For Orthoses

Hand Made Orthoses: £465.00
Commercial Orthoses: £68
See details below.