Entire Podiatry

CALL US TODAY! 1800 4 ENTIREĀ 

Hip Pain

It may not be the first thing you think of, but if youā€™re experiencing low back pain or hip pain, it could be related to your feet, as the position of your feet can affect your posture and the position of joints higher up the body.

Hip pain is a common symptom that can be related to a number of different conditions. For example, conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and strain injuries can affect the hip and cause pain in this joint. Hip pain can also be related to general postural deficiencies, muscle weakness and pelvic instability.

Leg length discrepancy (LLD), where one leg is shorter than the other, is also a common source of low back and hip pain. The effects of a leg length discrepancy can be alleviated through the use of orthotics and footwear modifications to improve posture and alignment.

What do feet have to do with hip pain?

The hip joints and the position of our hips can be affected by the biomechanics of our feet and legs. The following are some examples of how hip pain can be associated with foot function:

  • Excessive heel eversion can cause excessive internal rotation at the neck of the femur (where the femur joins the pelvis to form the hip joint). This in turn impacts on proper alignment of the hip joint and can result in hip pain.
  • Conditions such as hip bursitis (inflammation and pain in the hip) can be caused by instability or poor alignment of the pelvis. Ensuring proper biomechancs of the feet and legs can help to improve pelvic alignment.
  • Hip pain can be associated with a Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) (where one leg is shorter than the other). This sometimes occurs following hip replacement surgery. Podiatry treatment is able to address LLD, improving posture and joint alignment.

Hip pain can also cause secondary problems in the feet. For example, hip pain related to weakness of muscles around the hip (such as the gluteus medius muscle) will have implications further down the kinetic chain, as represented below:

  • Weakness of muscles around the hip
  • Excessive adduction and internal rotation of the femur (thigh bone)
  • Increased angle of genu valgus of the knee (ā€œknock-kneesā€)
  • Internal rotation of the tibia
  • Increased weight transfer to the medical aspect of the foot (over-pronation)

The resulting excessive and/or prolonged pronation of the foot can increase the risk of other conditions developing, such as medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) or Achilles tendonitis. There may also be associated knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome).

What can a podiatrist do for my hip pain?

A podiatrist will be able to assess the function of your feet and lower legs, to determine whether your feet are contributing to your hip pain. This will involve an initial examination including history of symptoms, biomechanical assessment and gait evaluation. In order to confirm whether your foot function is contributing to hip pain, we may use temporary measures (such as strapping or padding) to test whether this helps to reduce your hip pain.

If it does appear that foot function is playing a role in your hip pain, then your podiatrist can offer treatment to correct biomechanical function of your feet and legs:

  • In many cases of hip pain associated with foot function, custom foot orthotics is the most effective treatment to improve foot function. Orthotics can help to correct movement of the feet and relieve associated pain in other joints.
  • Exercises may also be recommended. For example, if hip pain is found to be related to muscle weakness then strengthening exercises may be prescribed.
  • If hip pain is associated with Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) then a CT scanogram may be required to measure the discrepancy. Heel raises can be manufactured to provide the exact required height to correct the LLD.
  • Supportive footwear is another critical component of improving biomechanics of the feet. At Entire Podiatry we are able to provide advice on footwear that will be suitable for your needs.

Visit UsĀ Today

Brisbane CBD

LEVEL 13, 97 CREEK ST
BRISBANE Q 4000

Phone: 07 3229 9959
Fax: 07 3053 3128

Toowong

4/621 CORONATION DRIVE
TOOWONG Q 4066

07 3462 0268
07 3053 3128

Chermside

SUITE 15, LEVEL 2
956 GYMPIE ROAD
CHERMSIDE Q 4032

07 3359 8836
07 3350 2822

Morayfield

UNIT 5C, MORAYFIELD GARDENS
197 MORAYFIELD ROAD
MORAYFIELD Q 4506

07 5490 8222
07 3053 3128

North Lakes

1051B/1 N LAKES DRIVE
NORTH LAKES
MANGO HILL Q 4509

07 3491 6099
07 3053 3128

Redcliffe

2 Dorall Street
KIPPA RING Q 4021

07 3889 5551
07 3053 3128

Strathpine

UNIT 1, 427 GYMPIE ROAD
STRATHPINE Q 4500

07 3881 3995
07 3053 3128

Logan

SHOP 1
1 WEMBLEY ROAD
LOGAN CENTRAL Q 4114

07 3299 2222
07 3053 3128

Robina

EASY T MEDICAL CENTRE
42 SCOTTSDALE DRIVE
ROBINA Q 4226

07 5503 6399
07 5575 8906

Mobile Podiatry

Entire Podiatry can provide mobile podiatry services in the comfort of your own home, at hospitals, nursing homes, for those who find it difficult to travel to a local clinic, or for anyone who does not want to visit a clinic at this time.

To book a mobile podiatry visit, please contact us on 1800 4 ENTIRE (1800 4 368 473) or fill in the enquiry form below.

Enquire Now

Telstra Business Awards QLD State Finalist - Championing Health Category