MSK (Musculoskeletal) & Orthotic Therapy Clinic in Aberdeen
MSK (Musculoskeletal) & Orthotic Therapy Clinic in Aberdeen
Sometimes our left and right sides are not symmetrical. This is equally so for our legs and our feet. These asymmetries can be caused by mild deformities – perhaps a torsion in your pelvis, a bowed leg, one leg longer than the other, or a subtle difference between the shape of one foot and the other.
When we stand, walk or run our body may compensate for these anomalies. It is these compensations that can put structures such as muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons under abnormal function or use.
Symptoms can occur where compromised structures become inflamed or injured.
A MSK (Musculoskeletal) assessment is an investigation into foot and lower limb function relating this to a patient’s heel pain, foot pain, knee pain or back pain.
Plans to improve your symptoms may involve one or more of the following:
- Exercises to stretch or strengthen muscles
- Custom prescription orthotics – specially made devices for you to wear inside your shoe.
- Footwear advice
A MSK (Musculoskeletal) Assessment
A MSK (Musculoskeletal) assessment and orthotic prescription is undertaken by a registered foot specialist/chiropodist.
The MSK (Musculoskeletal) assessment has two parts:
Static Assessment: non-weight bearing anatomical examination, muscle testing, weight bearing lower limb posture assessment.
Dynamic Assessment: to assess how you move – also called gait analysis.
Orthotics
What are orthoses?
An ‘orthosis’ is a medical term which describes a device that supports, realigns or assists in the function of the musculo-skeletal system. Podiatrists often use foot orthoses.
Therefore “Foot orthoses” are designed to support, align or improve the function of the feet and lower limbs during gait.
Functional orthotics apply forces to the feet enabling the foot specialist to alter certain movements or off-load stress within tissues. Their prescription is based on MSK (Musculoskeletal) assessment and an anatomical mold of the foot.
Accommodative orthoses may be designed to improve skin and tissue viability, balance up a deformed foot, or off-load painful pressure areas.
