Most people suffer foot or knee pain at some point in their lives but it can be difficult to find effective treatment with long-term results.
Foot and knee pain expert and musculoskeletal podiatrist, Dr. Paul Dowie explains.
“Many foot and knee conditions are misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated, often because only symptoms are treated and the cause and contributing factors of the pain or injury are not being addressed.”
With over 25 years experience in musculoskeletal medicine Dr. Dowie has been the chosen practitioner to some of the world’s best athletes, providing proven solutions to help alleviate pain, heal injuries and even delay or eradicate the need for surgery. He provided us with the following insights into common foot and knee complaints and treatments.
Bad foot posture can continually pull your body out of alignment, placing undue stress on other joints and tissues throughout the body, contributing to pain, injury and arthritis. Consulting a lower limb, musculoskeletal expert who has an understanding of complex foot and leg biomechanics, is essential in ascertaining the exact nature of your foot or knee condition and providing appropriate treatment.
Many foot and knee conditions e.g. plantar fasciitis symptoms, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, injuries and degenerative concerns, are incorrectly treated with cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and/or arthroscopies. These may provide some temporary relief but do not fix most conditions and can delay healing and even cause further tissue damage.
To achieve safe, effective, long-term outcomes for foot and knee pain and concerns the latest medical research supports the following strategies:
1. Assisting load management, to reduce forces and stress placed through the joints and tissues
2. Encouraging joint and tissue repair
3. Improving joint and tissue function, range of motion, strengthening and conditioning
If you have any foot, knee or leg pain you can see Dr. Dowie at his Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick and other locations across Melbourne. Call 1300 328 300.
