Flat Feet and Knee Pain

Flat Feet and Knee Pain

 

As a Physical Therapist, you are taught not to have "tunnel vision" when considering a painful body region.  It is recommended that you "look" (assess) one joint above and one joint below that painful area.  Knee pain can have many causes.  Although the pain may be felt at the knee joint, the source of the pain many times is at the foot/ankle joint.  As a clinician, assess your client for flat or pronated feet. 

 The left foot would be considered pronated or "flat" as you can see by the angle drawn
 
 
The pronation of the foot creates medial or internal rotation of the tibia/lower leg.  To see this, stand up and flatten the arch of your feet.  Do you feel the medial/internal rotation of your lower legs?

Upon doing this, your knees will slightly turn in toward each other.  

 

If the pronation is not corrected, then this medial/internal rotation will happen with activity such as jumping.  This inefficient movement pattern may be the source of your knee pain.

 

Many times, this type of knee pain will be felt along the inside/medial aspect and inferior/lower aspect of your knee cap especially upon jumping or stair climbing (descent).  One initial treatment for this condition is to purchase an over-the-counter arch support/orthotic to place in your shoe. 

This will maintain your arch, and limit the "down and in" medial rotation of your lower leg.  Muscle length and strength should also be assessed in order to improve your condition.  Finally your movement patterns should be assessed and corrected.

 

Physical Therapy At Home

Physical Therapy At Home

 

 

 

Many times following a surgery or injury, you may have a very difficult time leaving your home.  Your doctor may recommend a Home Health Agency to provide Skilled Physical Therapy Services in your home.  Your insurance may cover these services if you meet certain eligibility criteria, such as: your doctor agrees to the necessity of home care, leaving the home takes a considerable and taxing effort or is not recommended due to your condition, you need a wheelchair or walker or special transportation to leave your home, or you need the assist of another person to leave your home.  If you meet these requirements, you are considered "homebound."  A Physical Therapist may be able to provide treatment in your home.  However, these treatments are limited and do not last forever.  The goal of the therapist will be to help you return to your prior level of function.  When the therapist feels you have reached your goals or met your maximum progression level, you will be discharged.  At that time, you may still feel it to be taxing and difficult to attend any outpatient Physical Therapy visits in a clinic in order to make further progress.  This is where your Home Exercise Program is most important, and Strength OnDemand is here to help.  Strength On Demand offers Physical Therapy video exercise programs on DVD for multiple conditions.  These DVDs explain the necessary exercises, thoroughly discussing the techniques, benefits, and reasons behind doing each activity.  Included is a 15-20 minute follow along routine that you can perform daily.  The workout is already devised for you!  You just have to press 'PLAY' on the DVD player and continue working towards a full return to your prior activity level.  Check out Strength On Demand Protocols to get started today!  You can also purchase many common Physical Therapy related exercise tools here, such as resistance bands, so that you do not have to leave your home to purchase them!    Get started on your road to recovery today!



What is the difference between the Rotary Cup and the Rotor Cuff?

What is the difference between the

Rotary Cup and the Rotor Cuff?

 

 

Nothing! But when someone uses either term, they really mean to say Rotator Cuff.  Four muscle make up the rotator cuff.  An easy way to remember which muscles comprise the rotator cuff is S.I.T.S. which stands for:

Supraspinatus

Infraspinatus

Teres Minor

Subscapularis

The Supraspinatus acts to Abduct the arm or lift it to the side.

The Infraspinatus externally rotates the arm

Teres Minor also externally rotates the arm

Subscapularis internally rotates the arm

Abduction

Internal rotation

External rotation

 

Many times, you will see someone using a resistance band with the elbow bent at their side, rotating the arm out and in against resistance of the band.  When you ask them what they are training, they will say their "Rotary Cup."  That is only part of the necessary training for the rotator cuff.  These muscles are actually stabilizers of the shoulder.  Their primary action is to stabilize, not to internally or externally rotate, or abduct the arm (secondary action).  So, it is okay to initiate training with the standard resistance band internal and external rotation exercises.  However, the more advanced rotator cuff training comes when you focus on stabilization of the shoulder. Click here to see some shoulder/scapula stabilization techniques.  http://www.strengthondemand.com/Body_Mechanics.html