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What is a podiatric biomechanical examination?
The laws of mechanics govern human tissue in exactly the same way as any other material. With biomechanics the effect of forces is upon living tissues.Thus, an association occurs between the biological and mechanical – ie movement. The study by podiatrists into biomechanical examination, therefore, enables the examiner to observe any problems related to walking, running and standing and to treat any notable functional faults.
This has direct implications in terms of recovery and treatment options for patients who suffer sporting injuries. For those scientists amongst you,Newton’s ‘laws of motion’ of 1687 demonstrated the basic principles of motion and force and the relationship between the two.
So,with podiatric biomechanics, what are we looking at? The starting point is often foot function – that most intricate of structures containing 26 bones, 33 muscles and 106 ligaments! The human foot was designed to walk on sand or soil. Today,we walk on hard unnatural surfaces like pavements of concrete. This can often cause the feet to roll inwards in order to gain ground contact and flatten the arches – a term called ‘excessive pronation’. In turn, this can cause too much internal rotation from the knee and anterior tilting of the pelvis. Resultant problems can include: plantar fasciitis, patello-femoral syndrome and lumbo-sacral pain. As you can imagine, forces are at work to disrupt the normal gait cycle with compensation taking place over the whole of one’s posture. Although designed to work with a fluctuation in weight, the body’s structure depends on appropriate and correct joint movements and functional angles.
In the case of sportsmen and women, foot function may be fine until excessive demand is made on these structures. When running, the foot needs to be flexible and absorb shock attenuation when impacting on the ground with every step, yet it also has to be firm – a rigid lever – to propel the body weight forward for the next step. When something is not functioning as it should you know it – pain!
So, a podiatric biomechanical examination relies on the examiner taking a series of measurements of the patient standing, walking and lying down. Assessing and checking joint motion,muscle strength,weakness and flexibility. With technological advances, some may choose to use computer assisted programmes, force plates and video analysis to record the patient’s movements. However, the most important aspect is the highly trained eye of the podiatrist and his or her professional skill at translating the information into a treatment plan which may possibly be orthotic therapy. More on this next month!
Kate Millns BSc (Hons) DPodM MChS
Podiatrist in Private Practice, Edgbaston, Birmingham
www.Pinkfeet.co.uk – raising foot health awareness plus online foot health directory
Any questions or queries please contact comments@pinkfeet.co.uk
