We rely on our feet and legs for most of our daily activities, so it’s understandable that so many of us suffer from pain and problems in our feet, ankles and knees etc. But what can you do if you have foot or leg pain, problems or injuries? Dr Paul Dowie, one of Australia’s most experienced musculoskeletal podiatrists and foot and leg pain experts, advises the following:
1. Evaluate your footwear. Choose activity appropriate shoes for sport and recreational activities. Whenever possible choose shoes with straps or laces that hold to the feet, especially for prolonged activity, as thongs and slips-on shoes can be very stressful to the feet and legs. If you need to wear high heels, try lower heels or wedges to help reduce tissue stress.
2. Don’t rely on technological advances in footwear to treat pain and discomfort. The purpose of good footwear is to provide comfort whilst helping to support foot and leg function, not to treat pain or problems. Seek advice from an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist to treat foot and leg problems.
3. Be wary of off-the-shelf foot products like mass produced orthotics, innersoles and arch supports to assist pain. Only devices individually prescribed by an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist should be used to ensure effective outcomes.
4. If prescribed surgery or medications, get a second opinion. The latest medical research and natural regenerative treatments are helping to make many surgeries, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatories and even joint replacements avoidable. Be aware that in some cases cortisone injections can delay healing and contribute to further tissue damage and procedures like arthroscopes are now considered outdated and ill-advised in most cases, as they often have
poor or undesirable outcomes.
5. Always get pain checked by an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist, not just a GP or regular podiatrist. Musculoskeletal podiatrists have the specific knowledge and training to look past symptoms and identify the cause and contributing factors of your condition, to treat it effectively. The site of the pain is not necessarily where the problem is and what seems like simple soreness can be a symptom of more serious underlying issues.
If you have any foot and leg pain, injuries or arthritic concerns you can get advice from Dr Dowie at Foot & Leg Pain Clinics in Williamstown. Call 1300 328 300.
