Physiotherapists in York treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Flat Feet

It is common for patients to present with progressive flat foot deformity, also known as pes planus. However, despite it being common there the causes and treatments are still under debate. Adult acquired flat foot is most likely to be caused by an imbalance between the active arch maintenance structures and the passive arch maintenance structures. The foot may have been normal at some stage and something has changed to bring on the process of flattening of the arches. The posterior tibial tendon plays a strong role in actively maintaining the inner arch and a dysfunction or weakness of this structure is thought to be important in flat foot.

However, the ligaments binding the medial arch together and maintaining its structure may also be deficient in some way, leading to flat foot problems. The spring ligament, a strong ligament running between the calcaneus (heel bone) and the navicular, supports the head of the ankle bone (talus) and stops its slipping downwards, thereby maintaining the arch of the foot. Deficiency of this ligament complex is thought to be equally important to problems with the posterior tibial tendon. Treatment typically starts with insoles and modified footwear and progresses to foot surgery.

Ankle Sprain

The ankle is one of the most commonly injured joints in falling, twisting, slipping or in sport such as football. This joint is very vulnerable as it is at the end of series of long levers and takes the whole weight of the body in sometimes fast and violent movements. The ankle is a mortise type joint made up of the talus (ankle bone) and the bottom ends of the tibia and the fibula. Most of the joint surface is made from the tibia and the talus moving against each other, with the fibula on the outside. Powerful ligaments bind the ankle together on both sides to give stability.

When the foot goes over the ankle ligaments are sprained or torn, in some cases there may be a complete rupture. Mild sprains can be treated by ice, anti-inflammatory and a reduction in activity for a while. More severe sprains may need more rest and an ankle brace for a few weeks. Very severe sprains or rupture may require immobilisation in plaster of Paris or an Aircast boot until the ligament has healed well enough for weight bearing without protection to be restarted. In rare cases surgery is required if healing is not satisfactory.