For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, understanding the impact of proper foot support is key to unlocking your full potential. Discover how our root functional orthotics, available at Harding Podiatry, can be the game-changer in your athletic routine. These are more than just insoles; they’re an innovation in enhancing sports performance. 1) Boost Your Athletic Efficiency Experience a significant improvement in your sports activities with custom-made orthotics. Designed to reduce muscle fatigue, they enhance endurance and overall performance. 2) Endurance and Energy Ideal for endurance sports ..read more

Have you ever experienced an annoying squeaking sound when walking with your orthotics inside your shoes? It can be an unexpected and embarrassing issue that may leave you wondering if there’s a simple solution. Well, you’re in luck because we have just the remedy for this common problem. The Squeak Dilemma Orthotics are designed to provide comfort and support to your feet, helping to alleviate pain and improve your overall well-being. However, when they start squeaking with every step, it can be quite bothersome. Not only is the noise distracting, but it might also draw unwanted attention. Th ..read more

Lateral ankle instability is often found with associated conditions such as frequent ankle inversion sprains, peroneal tendonitis and peroneal overuse injury. To understand the nature of this condition, what it is and how and why it occurs, one needs to understand the anatomy and function of the peroneal muscles and tendons. There are three peroneal muscles. Peroneus longus, peroneus brevis and peroneus tertius. Peroneus brevis arises from the lower one third antero-lateral surface of the fibula and is innervated by the common peroneal nerve. The muscle becomes a tendon superior to the la ..read more

HAV is a deformity of the 1st metatarsal and hallux, (1st, great, or big toe). This deformity develops over a period of time from abnormal forces applied to the foot. These are caused by structural abnormalities of the lower limb and compensation that occurs through the joints of the foot on weight bearing. Hypermobile joints can exacerbate this condition by amplifying the compensatory motion. The 1st metatarsal and hallux act together as the body’s propulsive lever during the propulsive phase of gait. For any lever to be efficient it must be stable and well aligned. If, through compensation ..read more

What is it, why does it occur and how can it be treated? Plantar fasciitis is the most common complaint that presents to Podiatrists. Plantar fasciitis means inflammation of the plantar fascia. Plantar Fasciitis or fasciosis most often occurs in people over the age of 40 who have embarked on a change of physical activity, they would also have structural and functional pathology that compromises the efficiency of foot function. This structure spans the plantar surface of the foot from the plantar aspect of the proximal phalanges of the toes to the plantar aspect of the calcaneus. It is fibrous ..read more

The functional prescription orthoses used to treat patients in this study are orthopaedic devices that are designed to promote structural integrity of the joints of the foot and lower limb by resisting ground reaction forces that cause abnormal skeletal motion to occur during the stance phase of gait. The design follows the basic principles developed by Root et al. in the 1960s The material used in the manufacture of the functional orthoses is a semi-rigid polypropylene. This has been found to be the optimal material for use in such devices. It is relatively inexpensive, can be manufactured by ..read more

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of plantar heel pain and symptoms are typically sharp in nature first thing in the morning upon standing or being seated for some time and then standing. Part of recovery that can aid in reduction of symptoms and ort prevent recurrence is a combination of high load strength training and stretching of the plantar fascia. However, the clinical effect may take time to manifest, so studies to date use a 3-month protocol to see significant improvement. Here are 3 foot focused drills that can help to reduce pain associated with this condition. Soft Tissue ..read more

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The Harding Podiatry practice has treated a number of patients with medial knee pain, usually with great success. Many have been referred by orthopaedic surgeons who want their patients to explore conservative therapy to relieve their symptoms before proceeding to surgery. These patients experience pain in the medial compartment of the knee that is caused by degenerative changes involving the medial meniscus as well as the articular cartilage on both the medial condyle of the femur and medial plateau of the tibia. There is often a loss of joint space with compression of those surfaces when wei ..read more

Patello-femoral pain (PFP), or Anterior Knee pain is located under, or around the patella (kneecap). This condition often involves inflammation of the joint as well as the patella fat pad. The pain can inhibit contraction of the quadriceps muscles and extension and flexion of the knee, creating instability and reduced mobility. PFP often presents in adolescence following sporting activity such as netball or basketball which involve rotation and knee extension or flexion simultaneously. The causes of PFP are many but often involve lower limb structural and functional abnormalities that causes p ..read more