Learn about specific foot and lower limb conditions, injuries, footwear and orthotic facts on the blog...

Peroneal Tendonitis

Peroneal Tendonitis

The peroneal muscles (peroneus brevis and peroneus longus) lay on the outside of the lower leg; the two peroneal tendons travel side by side behind the outer ankle bone and down into the foot. The main function of the peroneal tendons is to stabilize the foot and ankle. The tendons also act in together to evert your foot (roll it outwards) and also help assist your calf muscles in plantarflexing your ankle (pointing your toes). Peroneal tendon injuries often cause pain on the

Posterior tibialis tendonitis

Posterior tibialis tendonitis

Posterior tibialis tendonitis occurs when the posterior tibialis tendon becomes overloaded and irritated. The posterior tibialis tendon starts in the calf muscle, winds under the inside ankle bone and inserts into the arch of the foot. The posterior tibialis tendon has a few key function: it helps maintain the arch of the foot, it helps invert the ankle (rotate the foot in) and it helps plantarflex the ankle (or point your toes). (Typical) Symptoms: The hallmark sign of poste

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

The patella, or kneecap, sits within with the trochlear groove at the end of the femur; our knee is a hinge joint so it's really only designed to move and bend in a single direction. Several forces act on the kneecap to provide stability and keep your knee tracking properly. But when pain is felt around and underneath the kneecap, and exacerbated with activity often times it's a case of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) or "runner's knee". What exactly causes PFPS? When the

Shin Splints

Shin Splints

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) or what most of us call "shin splints" is a musculoskeletal overuse injury that produces generalized pain along the inside bottom two-thirds of the shin bone (tibia). It is different from other injuries such as stress fractures, tendonopathies and compartment syndrome that affect the tibia. Classified as an overuse injury, shin splints are common to runners but can also be present in other populations, often affecting beginner runners and

Sever's Syndrome - Kids Heel Pain

Sever's Syndrome - Kids Heel Pain

Calcaneal Apophysitis, commonly called Sever's Syndrome is a heel injury common to youth. Those affected are often active in sports such as running, basketball and soccer and between the ages of 7 and 15. Sever's syndrome is a bone injury associated with repetitive microtrauma resulting in inflammation of the growth plate in the heel (the calcaneal apophysis). Sever's syndrome is self limiting - eventually it will resolve on its own over time. The growth plate in the heel wil

Myth Busting: Orthotics Weaken Your Feet

Myth Busting: Orthotics Weaken Your Feet

It’s often claimed that foot orthotics will make the muscles in your feet weaker reducing arch strength. Feet that are poorly positioned will have compromised muscle function, meaning that some muscles will operate over their intended activity level while others will operate under their intended activity level. Think about someone who is flat-footed. Due to their poor foot positioning while walking more stress will be put on certain muscles, but a reduced demand will be place