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The Problem
Foot and leg problems
As an Exercise Scientist I came from a solid grounding in established science. I learned that the Skeleton is our framework and your skeletal structure determines posture and lower limb alignment in the mechanics of running/walking. It is a matter of basic physics that with the force of gravity constantly acting on our bodies, we stack up from the base with each segment relying on the structure below for its stability and alignment.
I realised that:
Commonly occurring inherited faults in skeletal alignment cause faulty posture
and incorrect function. This results in instability in the spine and faulty
mechanics in running and walking which causes long term injury and wear
problems. These skeletal misalignments are so normal in the population
that the significance is overlooked. We are all to varying degrees, not
aligned correctly. This means that most of us eventually suffer problems
that affect our ability to get through the day and our involvement in exercise
and recreation.
This affects your quality of life.
Inherited variations in the skeletal structure of the lower limb causes incorrect, often excessively angled foot contact. This results in forceful excessive foot roll, mainly at the forefoot. The ankle collapses and the lower leg turns forcefully. The forceful changes in alignment on each step causes faulty posture and body mechanics. This results in wear/injury to joints, ligaments and the working muscles.
Weak ankle - ankle alignment relies on the foot below for stability (as pictured above).
The ankle is an unstable joint which relies on a stable correctly placed foot. A tendency to ankle ‘weakness’ is a result of an excessively angled foot strike - the resulting foot roll (mostly at the forefoot) allows the ankle to collapse sideways.
Forefoot roll is associated with the forefoot having contacted the ground at an excessive angle to then pronate causing the forefoot to slide out leaving the foot at an abducted (turned out) position. (Hicks 1954)
Bunions are formed when the rolling in repeatedly transfers an excessive proportion of weight to the ball of the foot, bruising the bone tissue of the joint causing a build up of scar tissue over time. This often also causes the first toe to be pushed progressively inwards over time (hallux valgus) misplacing other toes. The outer smaller toes often become clawed as they lift up and even rub on the inside of the shoe as the foot rolls within the shoe on each step.
Plantar fasciitis (heel spur) also occurs when the excessive foot roll repeatedly transfers an excessive proportion of force to the inside of the foot, over-stressing the structure of the arch, the arch ligament will often begin to tear at it’s attachment under the heel bone. The pain experienced is from the tearing of the attachment, scar tissue may show on x-ray. Similarly the Achilles tendon, it’s attachment or the calf muscle can be injured when foot roll subjects it to twisting and sideways tearing.
Aching shins: ‘shin splints’ excessive
leg fatigue are all damage from the torsion forces of leg rotation
from foot roll, not ‘growing pains’ or hard
running surfaces.
Muscle tears/tightness - to groin, hamstring and calf and
tightness to the illiotibial band are caused by forceful
leg rotation from excessive foot roll.
Compartment syndrome - muscles
are tight within their sheath due to injury as above. Surgery is not required.
Osgood Slatters disease is
damage to the patella-tibial tendon attachment said to be an inherited
weakness or from overuse. It
is in fact damage to the attachment from sideways shear forces of forceful
leg rotation from excessive foot roll.
Knee pain/wear,; patella mistracking and serious injuries
to knee ligaments/cartilage are likely from leg misalignment/instability. The
knee is an unstable joint, reliant on the foot and ankle below. For
this reason attempting to correct knee alignment/function in isolation, either
surgically or by muscle stretching and strengthening is not successful.
Hip pain/wear, forceful rotation, excessive
joint wear (osteo-arthritis) and muscle tears/tightness.
Osteo-arthritis is accumulated long term
excessive wear in misaligned joints. The problem is currently accepted
as part of getting old but in fact it is quite preventable. Our bodies
are constantly healing and bone is living tissue even in the elderly. Achieving
healthy joint alignment prevents excessive wear to allow the body to begin
to heal and reverse the process.
Correcting skeletal alignment also assists those affected by other disability (e.g. strokes) to maximize whatever function they can achieve.
Rehabilitation following trauma injury is difficult when combined with any pre-existing
misalignment even if it may previously have not been real concern. The misalignment creates further damage combining with
the injury and preventing recovery. Any misalignment that predisposes injury
needs to be corrected to prevent ongoing damage and allow recovery.
Next page -> Spine problems - Scoliosis