Foot complaints
Causes, diagnosis & treatment
Foot complaints can occur suddenly after an accident or develop gradually. Biomechanical misloads and overloads can sometimes be difficult to identify.
Common causes include:
Heel spur (plantar fasciitis)
A heel spur is a bony protrusion on the heel caused by overloading the sole of the foot. It often causes pain when walking. In most cases, the spur as such does not play a role in the development of pain, but is a sign of incorrect loading.
Hallux valgus
Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe in which it deviates sideways and forms a “bunion”. The causes are often genetic factors or unsuitable footwear.
Ankle sprain (ankle sprain)
Ankle sprains often occur during sport or when a step is missed. This results in an injury to the stabilizing ligament structures.
The potential consequences of a sprain with chronic instability and development of osteoarthritis are often underestimated.
Achilles tendinitis
Strictly speaking, Achilles tendinitis is not an inflammation but a wear and tear (degeneration) of the tendon due to an imbalance between the load and the load-bearing capacity of the tendon. Typical symptoms are pain along the Achilles tendon which can be triggered by strain. Treatment often takes several weeks, as the tendons are poorly supplied with blood despite high mechanical stress.
Articulated flat foot
Arched flat foot is a deformity in which the arch of the foot is flattened (flat foot) and the heel tilts inwards (arched foot). The deformity can be congenital or develop over the course of a lifetime due to weak foot muscles and overloading. Treatment depends on the severity and symptoms.
Diagnosis for foot pain
The first step is a physical examination, which often leads to an initial suspected diagnosis. In addition, digital x-rays and ultrasound are also available in our practice. This provides us with information about bones, muscles and tendons. If an MRI is necessary for diagnosis, we can also organize appointments for you at short notice.
Treatment of foot complaints
We offer a variety of conservative treatment methods to help you get back on your feet. We will find the optimal therapy for you.
These include, among others:
Shock wave therapy
Shock wave therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment method that is used for foot pain. The therapy can be particularly effective for complaints caused by a heel spur, Achilles tendinitis or other tendon irritations. High-energy sound waves are directed at the affected area to stimulate blood circulation and cell regeneration. This can alleviate pain and improve the body’s own recovery.
Infiltration
Injection infiltrations with homeopathy, cortisone or autologous blood therapy can be used to relieve pain and improve the healing process of the foot. Treatment should be carried out by experienced doctors in order to reduce the risk of undesirable side effects.
Chirotherapy
Chiropractic therapy is a gentle treatment method that uses targeted hand movements to improve joint mobility and pain perception. After accidents in particular, chiropractic therapy can help to gently restore mobility in the foot and ankle.
Medical training therapy
Medical training therapy for the foot focuses on strengthening and stabilizing the leg axes and feet in order to correct incorrect loading. After analyzing the statics, an individual training concept is developed. Medical training therapy is also suitable for preventing ankle and foot injuries.
Kinesio taping
Kinesio tapes are a popular method of providing support for foot and ankle complaints. Especially after accidents, the tapes can improve the stability of the feet as part of poprioceptive training. The elastic tapes are applied directly to the skin to improve the functionality of the foot and ankle.
Orthotics and insoles
Splints and insoles can help to effectively alleviate foot complaints. They can relieve pressure on the joints and correct misalignments that cannot be compensated for muscularly. Insoles can optimize pressure distribution in the foot, relieve pressure on the joints and improve muscle and tendon function.
Treatment of sports injuries
Our doctors have many years of experience in the treatment of injuries caused by accidents. Our range of treatments includes bone fractures, dislocations and muscle injuries. If you have been recommended an operation, we will be happy to offer you a second opinion. Please bring all previous findings with you.
Nutritional advice
Nutritional advice can be a valuable addition to treatment for foot complaints, especially if obesity and osteoarthritis play a role. A balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish, nuts and seeds as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables can help to alleviate foot complaints. Individual nutritional advice can help you choose the right foods to suit your lifestyle.
For specific issues, we also carry out gait, running or static analyses to identify incorrect loading or biomechanical causes for your complaints. This enables us to make a comprehensive diagnosis and develop the optimum therapy for you.
Let us advise you and make an appointment with us today.