Biomechanical Correction
The human foot varies enormously in its shape and posture. It is surprising that so many different shapes can function so well. However, sometimes pain or inflammation are caused by such abnormalities. The issue might not be the way that the foot is shaped but rather the way it works. Biomechanical treatments assess and correct such problems utilising exercise programmes, stretches or specially designed foot supports/insoles (orthotics). It is often not obvious that a biomechanical problem is the cause, such as when pain under the ball of the forefoot is produced by tight calf muscles, or a shallow arch results in an inflamed Achilles tendon.
If your specialist has referred you for biomechanical management, it will probably be provided by a podiatrist, physiotherapist, orthotist or a combination. Assessment might include clinical examination of walking pattern, imprints of foot posture or perhaps specialised gait analysis utilising a computerised pressure-detecting walkway which measures precisely the way the foot is working.
Sometimes insoles can be provided 'off the shelf', but often the orthotic must be tailor made to an individual foot . Use of such orthotics and exercise programmes can take weeks or months to show benefit. Initially there might be new symptoms such as aching in the shins, knees or feet. You might be advised by your therapist to use insoles for short periods each day until your legs become accustomed to them.
It is of course important to do the exercise programmes and to use the orthotics diligently. Orthotics can usually be moved from shoe to shoe and copies manufactured once the design proves just right. An occasional complaint is that the orthotic does not fit in to the shoe. The commonest reason is that the shoe is not actually big enough for the foot! An early part of biomechanical assessment includes checking the fit and pattern of wear of the normal shoe. It is easier to use orthotics with a lace up shoe but that is not a style some people like to wear. Unfortunately some shoe designs are not good for orthotics because they are are not good for feet , especially some of those considered most fashionable.
Biomechanical correction forms a very important part of treatment and your surgeon will often advise you to undergo a period of such treatment before suggesting surgery since so many symptoms are either eased or cured this way, thereby avoiding the risks of an operation or perhaps reducing the magnitude of the surgery required. Naturally, there are some ailments which are very unlikely to respond to non-surgical treatment and here surgery might be the treatment of choice with or without the support of biomechanical management.