Orthopedics
It is the branch of medicine that aims to diagnose, treat, prevent and rehabilitate all types of injuries, alterations and diseases of the human locomotor system.
The locomotor system is made up of a complex combination of bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints that allow movement.
Although in practice it focuses more on the spine and extremities.
At any level, different bone or joint alterations may occur in each anatomical area.
Thus, the study of Orthopedics has diversified with the development of several sub-branches dedicated to deepen the pathologies and treatments of specific areas of the human body in greater detail.
Thus, the branch of orthopedics dedicated to the study of bone and joint injuries of the foot was created: Orthopodology.
Orthopodology
Thus, Orthopodology is a complementary branch of Podiatry that is in charge of solving orthotic and prosthetic problems of the foot or complementing surgical or chiropodic treatments.
There are numerous diseases and deformities that have orthotic treatment as an alternative, which are prepared individually at Clínica San Román, for example:
- Digital claw
- Custom orthopedic insoles under plaster cast.
- Silicone rings.
- Minor foot surgery
- Onychocryptosis (ingrown toenail)
- Gel or silicone separators.
- Minor foot surgery.
- Clinodactyly: it depends on the degree of deformity, but it is available:
- Silicone orthodigital separators, thin or thick.
- Fifth varus:
- Silicone protectors for fifth finger.
- Minor foot surgery.
- Fractures
- Immobilizer bars (toe loops)
- Hallux valgus (bunion): used for very mild cases
- Orthopedic insoles to reduce the evolution of bunions.
- Interdigital separator.
- Minor foot surgery.
- Metatarsalgia
- Custom-made plantar supports to unload the metatarsal area that are adaptable to all types of closed footwear.
- Silicone metatarsal pads with ring.
- Minor foot surgery.
- Open foot:
- Orthopedic footwear for correct foot support.
- Metatarsal elastic bands with or without pads.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel elevation, with customized lift to reduce Achilles tendon traction and relax the plantar fascia.
- Orthopedic unloading insoles.
- Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Thalalgias
- Custom orthopedic insoles.
- Custom-made calcaneal lifts.
- Flat foot, cavus, equinus, clubfoot
- Custom orthopedic insoles under plaster cast.
Frequent side effects of these devices include:
- Discomfort in initial phases, until adapting to the orthosis.
- Leg pain until the gait is corrected, which may improve with specific exercises.
- Symptoms of mild leg pain and changes in gait or foot discomfort, which should not exceed 4 weeks.
- Skin thickening or hyperkeratosis due to rubbing.
They are relevant in cases of diabetes or peripheral circulatory disorders. - Hyperhidrosis or bromhidrosis.
- Deformity of the footwear or localized wear.
- Modification of gait or irregular gait.
- Feeling of ankle instability or sprains.
Important considerations with orthotics prescribed by your podiatrist:
- Periodic revisions of the orthosis are always recommended.
At least every 6 months.
- In case of using the orthosis in sports practices the wear is greater.
Revisions should be made every 3 months in these cases. - Careful hygiene measures and avoid exposing the orthosis to extreme temperatures.
- Wear stockings or socks.
The materials most commonly used for orthoses are important in case of allergies or local reactions:
- Polyolefins
- Polyethylene
- Low density
- High density
- Polypropylene
- Acrylics
- Resins
- Skins (calfskin, goat, lamb), for coatings
- Foam rubber and sponge rubber
- Cork
- Polyurethane foams: prosthesis liners and polyethylene foams.
- Cornylon (cork 90% and nylon 10%)
- Ethyl vinyl acetate
The combination of materials will be chosen by the foot professional taking into consideration the deformity to be corrected and its severity, as well as age, weight, degree of physical activity and associated diseases.
Sports podiatry
It is a discipline derived from podiatry and is responsible for the evaluation, treatment and prevention of sports injuries in the feet.
The diagnosis therefore comprises two phases:
- Static examination: with the patient lying down, the foot and ankle joints are evaluated.
A distinction should be made between the three types of stride: supinator, pronator and neutral.
Most of the injuries occur in athletes with pronator gait.
- Dynamic exploration: it is performed in movement, by means of studies of the footprint in all its phases and evaluating where the areas of greatest pressure are exerted and at what time it occurs.
It is possible to determine whether the axis or center of gravity is delayed or advanced.
The ideal circumstance is that the footprint is symmetrical and that the back of both feet bear 2/3 of the pressure.
The physical examination in conjunction with dynamic studies allow a correct and accurate diagnosis, establishing the necessary corrective measures to prevent sports injuries or correct any orthopedic problem already present.
All this leads to the design of customized insoles according to the defect to be corrected, providing the necessary cushioning and balance to improve sports performance.
The biomechanical studies of gait and sporting gesture, gather a series of information through clinical and technological resources, namely:
- Baropodometry: static and dynamic analysis of the foot on a pressure platform.
- Detailed osteoarticular exploration.
- Posture analysis.
- Evaluation of the morphology and functionality of the athlete’s foot.
The objective is to achieve a detailed report for the athlete with the following diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive information:
- Advice on the type of footwear for sports.
- Orthoses for foot deficiencies or alterations.
- Treatment based on insoles adapted to the usual footwear or sports shoes.
- To avoid the appearance of injuries derived from structural alterations of the foot.
- Plan podiatric care at the pre-competitive, competitive and post-competitive levels.
- Treatment of sports injuries if present.
At Clínica San Román we offer personalized rehabilitation treatments for the foot.
Fractures in the foot are common in certain sports, produced by blows either playing soccer or performing martial arts, although it can also be caused by small stress fractures, generating what is called continuous micro trauma and affecting the bone.
In any case, rehabilitation is important because of the load our feet have to bear. Exercising too soon or too intensely can aggravate the injury. The best option is to go to Clínica San Román where we are specialists in foot rehabilitation.
Link of interest to Biomechanics
