The hip or acetabilofemoral joint includes over 70 different ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones and is (with the shoulder) the most flexible joint in the body, slightly different in men and women. Where’s the pain? Confusingly, the area that most of us refer to as our hip is actually the pelvis bone. The hip joint itself is deep into the groin. So “true” hip joint pain is usually felt as…
I was horrified to read on the NHS website (usually a reliable if rather conventional source) that the “cause of bunions is unknown“. What Utter Nonsense!!! We know the cause and have done for decades – excess pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe. This pressure causes the joint to twist out of alignment and swell, causing the typical “bump” as the bones move out to the…
Many runners complain of lower back pain, in the United States this could account for nearly 10% of all running related injuries. As I’ve explained before there is a myth that the shock and impact from running causes joint pain. This isn’t true! Runners actually have stronger bones, healthier joints and are less likely to require joint replacement surgery. It’s not the activity that’s at fault – it’s the mechanics…
Arthroscopy – one of the most common surgical options for arthritic knees. A procedure that most patients with knee pain have been offered at some point in their process. What is an arthroscopy? This is a “keyhole” surgery procedure where an arthroscope camera is inserted through a small incision in the knee, allowing the surgeon to view the inside of the knee. The surgeon can then use other micro instruments…
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most complex, making it a very vulnerable joint! It is made up of 4 bones, more than 20 muscles each with a tendon, 4 major ligaments as well as many little ones, and at least 3 layers of cartilage. Arthroscopy An operation to “clean” inside the knee joint. Results of recent studys report that arthroscopic surgery is…
Again and again you’ve heard me stress the vital importance of a proper clinical assessment when you have knee pain. One of the KEY factors in a knee pain assessment (because we have to check it is a knee problem and not a hip or foot or lower back problem – they all cause knee pain too!) is examining knee extension – basically how straight you can get your knee.…
I’ve just been reading a really fascinating article in the Wall Street Journal of all places! Not my usual paper by any means but this particular article caught my eye. Edit – my apologies, it seems that for some people this article might be behind a pay wall. I’m not quite sure how I was able to view it for free but I do apologise for any frustration! I have…
Most of my patients, at some time or another, probably end up in my gait analysis room. I find taking a video of someone and showing it to them really helps them understand what I’m on about! BUT as soon as I mention the idea of orthotics aka “putting something in their shoes” many people run for hills. So it’s always lovely to hear from people who took the leap…
As one of the many options that I offer my patients is orthotics or prescription insoles, I’m often informed by my patients that “they won’t work as I have one leg shorter than the other”. To which I reply as nicely as possible, “I doubt it! Did they check you?”. The answer is No depressingly often. True leg length discrepancy is rare, but what is common is a tilted pelvis…
As one of the many options that I offer my patients is orthotics or prescription insoles, I’m often informed by my patients that “they won’t work as I have one leg shorter than the other”. To which I reply as nicely as possible, “I doubt it! Did they check you?”. The answer is No depressingly often. True leg length discrepancy is rare, but what is common is a tilted pelvis…