Specialties / Services

Back, Hip and Knee Pain

Many people have chronic, lingering pain in their hips, knees, low back, shoulders and neck and that has not responded to traditional treatment. If you fall into this group, there may be a connection between the pain you are experiencing and the way your feet function.

The knees, back and hips are the areas most often affected by abnormal foot mechanics or asymmetry in your gait. Below are just a few examples of the many mechanical abnormalities of the foot that can lead to pain in other parts of your body:

Knee Pain

The knee is made to bend only in one direction—with the knee facing straight forward. When the foot rolls in too much (over-pronates) the leg rotates in toward the opposite leg, which causes the knee to function while pointing inward (tibial torsion). In this position, each step you take will put stress on the knee. If your knee pain is due to your foot mechanics, foot orthotics can be a very effective way to relieve your symptoms.

Back Pain

In a 1999 study of patients with low back pain, gait abnormalities were detected in all patients. Eighty-four percent of the patients studied experienced improvement with the use of custom foot orthotics. All of the study participants had not responded to standard treatments which had included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, therapeutic injections and/or surgery  (Source: 1Dannenber, Guiliano. 1999. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association)

Hip Pain

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a problem we commonly see that causes both back and hip pain. Depending on the specific condition, treatment may be as simple as a lift, or may require a complete orthosis to correct the gait. Patients that overpronate or supinate, usually have an excessive internal or external rotation of the hip.

The Solution

Evaluating and treating the subtle gait abnormalities that cause chronic musculoskeletal complaints, is critical in pain management. Sometimes a neuro-muscular specialist is required in extreme cases.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Foot orthoses function in several ways to reduce the occurrence of pain in your knees, hips and back. The key is that each foot functions differently, so a detailed examination and gait analysis will allow us to determine the best orthotic prescription for each persons mechanical abnormality.

Shoes

Shoes that offer the correct support for your foot are an integral part of any biomechanical treatment plan. We will provide you with recommendations of appropriate shoes for your foot type. 

Getting Started

If you are experiencing knee, hip or back pain, call to schedule an evaluation in our Cornwall office to determine if your pain could be related to the mechanics of your feet.