10-03-2011

Introduction
• At least 80% of the general population has foot
PODIATRY problems, but these problems can often be corrected by
proper assessment, treatment, and, above all, care of
the feet.

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ORTHOPEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

INTRODUCTION Why is it important ?

• Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the • Lesions of the ankle and foot can alter the

study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of mechanics of gait and, as a result, cause stress

the foot, ankle and lower leg on other lower limb joints, which in turn may
lead to pathology in these joints.

Who is Podiatrist ? History

• It starts from Ancient Egypt, about 2400 BC.
• A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine
• Corns and calluses were described by Hippocrates.
(DPM), also known as a podiatric physician or
• He invented skin scrapers for this purpose and these were
surgeon, qualified by their education and
the original scalpels.
training to diagnose and treat conditions
• Paul of Aegina (AD 615–690) defined a corn as "a white
affecting the foot, ankle and related structures circular body like the head of a nail, forming in all parts
of the leg. of the body, but more especially on the soles of the feet
and the toes.

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 10-03-2011

History
• The term "podiatry" came into use first in the
• Podiatry is practiced as a specialty in many
early 20th century United States.
countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada,
• Field of podiatry, practitioners can focus on
Cyprus Ireland, Malta, New
many different specialty areas, including surgery,
Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United
sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics,
Kingdom and the United States.
pediatrics, orthopedics or primary care.

• The Profession of Podiatry Since the 70s the
development of the profession has grown rapidly.
Podiatric Biomechanics
• It is the study of forces acting on the human
body its structure and function with particular
reference to the lower limb, the foot and related
pathology.

• It is Combination of Kinesiology and

kinematology.

Planes of Foot

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ORTHOPEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST 2
 10-03-2011

Subtalar Neutral Assessment of Subtalar Joint

• Foot position when the subtalar, talonavicular and
calacneocuboid joints are reduced and congruous.

• Clinically, the foot is placed in the neutral position

by centring the navicular on the talus.

• After the foot has been placed in the neutral

position, it is possible to determine the relative
varus/valgus of the hindfoot and forefoot.

Foot Compensation Foot Problems with Age group

NEWBORNS, INFANTS AND TODDLERS
• Congenital malformations

– Excessive flat or high arched feet,

– Clubfoot deformity,

– Too many toes,

– Web toes,

– Mal-positioned forefoot or heel,

– Disfigured toes and / or missing toes

YOUTH
• Skin and Nail Problems: Generally, plantar's
Warts, Ingrown nails, athletes' foot infections,
splinters, lacerations and sport's injuries.
• Exercise-related foot problems : Overuse injuries,
and use of improper technique while exercising or
playing sports.
• Traumatic Injuries: Ankle sprains and foot
fractures
• Growing Pains: Growing Pains such as Sever's
Disease that involves pain in the growth plate of
the heel is a very common condition.

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 10-03-2011

ADULT
• Overuse Injuries:
• Acquired Foot Deformities: Due to the amount of
Causing an anatomical structure undergo
the forces that are placed on the foot during
excessive tension or pulling that results in an injury.
walking and standing, the foot will undergo
Commonly treated are Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles'
structural changes that can lead to muscle
Tendonitis, Sesamoiditis, Metatarsal Stress Fracture
imbalances and joint mis-alignment.
and Morton's Neuroma.
• Common acquired foot deformities are bunions,
hammertoes and bone spurs.

• Shoe Complications: • Natural Wear and Tear:

Shoe complications involve placing too
much pressure on the skin or positioning the foot in
the wrong position while in the shoe that results in
injury to the skin, tendons and / or bone.
Common complications are Corns and calluses,
blisters and metatarsalgia.ect..
Flat foot, by controlling the position
of the in the shoe by using a functional
foot orthotic, the amount of joint pain
and degeneration can been minimized.
• Systemic Foot Complications:
• Diabetes,
• Gout and
• Skin allergies.

• Nail and Skin Infections: Preventing foot problems

• Fungal infections • Most foot problems are caused by abuse and

• Exercise Related Problems: neglect.

– Many injuries are caused from a lack of a warm up • Prevention

or from an inappropriate technique while 1. Medical Care : Visit podiatrist for any foot problem
performing sports. 2. Podiatrist Visit: for new born, Infants & Old age.

– Commonly treated including Plantar Fasciitis, 3. Exercises :

Achilles' Tendonitis and / or Peroneal Tendonitis 4. Foot wear :

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ORTHOPEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST 4
 10-03-2011

Foot Orthotics
The functional orthotic is designed to hold
• Foot orthotics are used to treat foot pain and
the foot straight with the leg with foot is on the
certain foot problems caused by the incorrect
ground and the other foot is passing by during
positioning of the foot while standing, walking
walking and running.
and/or running.
This position is called the neutral position.

Foot Assessment Thanks …

Same as in David Magee.

References:
1. David Magee

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ORTHOPEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST 5