The function of the foot is very complicated. It must behave both as a shock absorber and a lever during each step.

 

The foot has 26 bones held in place by numerous muscles, tendons and ligaments. Many of these muscles have attachments in the legs, hence even if only a small fault exists within the foot, substantial pain may result within the leg and higher up the body.

 

Originally, the foot was designed to walk on natural, yielding surfaces. Today, however we walk on hard pavements to which our feet and bodies must yield. This may result in mechanical imbalance throughout the body.

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Biomechanics is the science concerned with the cation of forces on the living body. A Soles Foot Clinic Podiatrist can examine and evaluate the structure of your feet and legs by taking a series of measurements. This detailed biomechanical examination can identify any faulty relationships between the structures and movements within the foot and leg, help to identify and alleviate the cause of your symptoms.

 

Problems with the feet often indicate problems in other parts of the body and vice versa. Lower back pain, knee pain and foot pain may be directly related to poor foot function.  The specialist mechanical assessment is a comprehensive examination of the lower limbs involving the quality and range of motion of the joints and muscles. 

 

From this assessment, the Podiatrist may be able to find contributory reasons for such things as flat feet or knock-knees.

 

If necessary, advice on the right types of footwear and corrective insoles will be given, to help improve foot function and ease pain in areas some distance from your foot. For more information on these, please refer to the Orthotics section. You may also be advised on exercises to help relieve your condition.