Common Foot & Ankle Conditions

BEN IS A FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALIST

Ben utilises his strength and conditioning and sports background to create a specific, patient focused rehabilitation programs. Ben has a deep understanding of how the body performs from a functional perspective. Ben emphasises the importance of daily maintenance, to keep himself and patients as healthy and pain free as possible.

Ben will use a range of assessment and treatment modalities alongside rehabilitation such as; Mobilisation, Strength & Conditioning, Running and Biomechanical Analysis, Barefoot Rehabilitation & Strengthening, Dry Needling, Radial Pressure Wave (Shockwave), in-shoe Wedges, Carbon Fibre Foot Plates and Orthotics (if needed).

Whilst programming must be conscious of efficiency and getting patients pain free as soon as possible, Ben puts heavy onus on patient education. Patients need to know why there’s an issue, how to get better and how to maintain it so they have as little chance of re-occurrence as possible.

Ben works alongside several Foot & Ankle Surgeons for both pre and post-surgery intervention, as well as prevention or delay of surgery.

Ben also works with workers compensation and motor vehicle accident patients.

COMMON TENDINOPATHIES

  • Achilles Tendinopathy

  • Plantar Fasciitis/ Fasciopathy (not technically a tendon, but treated similar)

  • Peroneal Tendinopathy

  • Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy

  • Tibialis Anterior Tendinopathy

  • Patella Tendinopathy

COMMON BONY CONDITIONS

  • Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle

  • Shin Splints

  • Ankle Sprains

  • Knee Pain

  • Fractures including boot fitting and pre and post surgery rehabilitation if needed

  • Mortons Neuroma/ Bursa

  • Bunions, hammer toes, Sesamoiditis and forefoot abnormalities

  • Accessory bones of the feet

  • High Arches and Flat Feet

  • Fractures/ injuries requiring moon boot fitting

COMMON PAEDIATRIC (CHILD) CONDITIONS

  • In-toeing and Out-toeing

  • Osgood Schlatters

  • Severs

  • Hypermobility

  • Toe-walking

Radial Pressure Wave (Shockwave)

HELPING IMPROVE CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS

By using the latest Chattanooga Intelect 2 RPW Shockwave Therapy, Ben has had great success with stubborn and chronic injuries, aiding greatly in rehabilitation, repair and recovery for the majority of lower limb musculoskeletal conditions.

WHAT ARE RPW SHOCK WAVES AND HOW DO THEY WORK? Radial shock waves are acoustic waves introduced into the body by means of a transmitter and handpiece. These waves move through the body in outward motion from the point of contact. The point of contact will be moved throughout your treatment to cover the entire pain region. Radial shockwaves are often referred to as radial pressure waves, which is the correct definition in physical terms because it best describes how the waveform moves through the body. When introduced into the tissue, shock waves and pressure waves have effects on a cellular level that are beneficial for healing. Increased blood flow and formation of new blood vessels, create an improved environment for tissue repair. It has further been shown that application of shock waves influences the body’s pain regulating mechanisms resulting in local pain relief.

WILL IT WORK FOR ME? Clinical studies have shown improvement of symptoms in the following conditions:

• Myofascial trigger points – localised tender or painful area

• Plantar Fasciitis – inflamed ligament across bottom of the foot

• Chronic Tendinopathies – swollen, painful tendons. E.g: - Achilles Tendinopthy, Patella Tendinopathy etc

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY? Side effects could occur after a treatment with radial pressure wave therapy. The majority will appear after 1-2 days. These side effects usually abate after 5 to 10 days.

Potential side effects include:

• Reddening

• Swelling

• Pain

• Heamatoma (bruising) • Petechia (red spots)

Always speak to your therapist before taking any pain relief, medications or tablets

CONTRAINDICATIONS / PRECAUTIONS?

• Pregnancy

• Disturbed sensory and nervous function, eg. Diabetes

• Corticosteroid injections – wait minimum of 6 weeks after local injections

• Malignancy