Persistent Lower Limb Pain?
Dealing with persistent foot pain can be a difficult scenario to navigate. Am I just getting older? Is there an underlying problem? I don’t want to waste anyones time. But there are some scenarios where we would massively encourage you to seek a biomechanical assessment for your feet. This specialised evaluation that we offer at Doncaster Foot Clinic, where can pinpoint hidden issues with how your feet move and function. But what
does it involve?
Well, the purpose of a biomechanical assessment is to deeply understand how your feet move, bear weight, and interact with the ground. This isn’t just a quick look; it’s a detailed process that typically includes:
A Hands-On Examination
A comprehensive physical examination of your feet. This involves a hands-on assessment where one of our podiatrists will check the structure of your feet, examine your range of motion, assess muscle strength, and look for any deformities or abnormalities. They’ll also feel for tender spots or areas of inflammation.
In-Depth Medical History
A review of your medical history. We’ll ask about past health, uncover any relevant medical conditions, and gather a detailed history of previous foot or ankle injuries. This is crucial in helping us understand contributing factors to your current problem and rule out systemic issues that might be affecting your foot health.
Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is often a key part of this assessment. We will observe you standing and then walking. Seeing how your foot strikes the ground, how weight is distributed, and the movement patterns of your ankles, knees, and even hips. This analysis help us identify subtle irregularities in your gait that could be contributing to your pain. An example of this is we had a patient where, just by looking at her stood face on, we could tell already she
probably had a level of Scoliosis. An X-Ray later confirmed this.
The End Goal
The ultimate goal of this in-depth assessment is for us to precisely identify any underlying mechanical problems with how your feet move and function. Once the root cause is understood, our podiatry team can then recommend the most appropriate and effective treatment options to alleviate your pain and discomfort, helping you regain comfortable mobility.
Signs You Should Book a Biomechanical Assessment
It can be tough to know when to seek professional help for foot pain. However, certain persistent symptoms strongly suggest that a biomechanical assessment could be beneficial:
Chronic, Lingering Foot Pain
If you’re experiencing foot pain that just won’t go away, even after trying common self-care methods like rest, applying ice, stretching, or using over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s a significant indicator. This isn’t just about discomfort; it’s about pain that limits your daily activities, disrupts your sleep, or prevents you from enjoying hobbies. An in-depth professional assessment at Doncaster Foot Clinic can go beyond treating symptoms to truly pinpoint the underlying mechanical imbalances, structural issues, or functional problems causing your pain. Once the root cause is identified, our podiatrists can develop a targeted and effective treatment plan, which might include custom orthotics, specific exercises, footwear modifications, or other treatment.
Injuries That Aren’t Healing Properly
If you’ve sustained a foot or ankle injury – whether it’s a sprain, strain, or even a repetitive stress injury like plantar fasciitis – and it seems stuck in a cycle of pain or slow recovery, a biomechanical assessment would be highly recommended. Sometimes, an injury struggles to heal because there’s an underlying biomechanical issue that’s continually stressing the damaged area or preventing
proper recovery. For example, an unstable ankle might continually re-strain itself, or an abnormal foot arch could place undue pressure on a healing tendon. Our podiatrists can identify these compensatory movements or structural predispositions that are hindering your recovery. By addressing these underlying factors, we can help facilitate a more complete and comfortable return to your usual activities.
Difficulty Standing or Walking for Extended Periods
If you find that standing or walking for even moderate lengths of time brings on significant discomfort, aching, or sharp pain, this is a strong signal that your feet aren’t functioning optimally. This isn’t about being tired after a long day at work – it’s about pain that makes simple daily tasks challenging. Can you complete a food shop, or dropping the kids off without pain? This difficulty could stem from various issues, such as uneven weight distribution, abnormal pronation (rolling inward) or supination (rolling outward) of the foot, or structural deformities that become exacerbated under prolonged stress. A biomechanical assessment can precisely identify these issues, allowing our podiatrists to recommend solutions that improve your foot mechanics, reduce strain, and enable you to stand and walk more
comfortably and for longer periods.
Let Us Help!
Ultimately, this is about being honest with yourself about what is normal. It can be hard when pain has been going on for a long time – as you adapt to a “new normal”. But if you can’t go a day without pain, or struggle to do simple daily living activities & you have never had a proper answer – then please book into Doncaster Foot Clinic so we can provide, potentially, life changing solutions!