Anton Podiatry Services

30/09/2025

Did you know that and can cause issues such as and/or pain?

So what exactly is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. This tissue helps support the arch of your foot and absorbs shock when you walk.

💥The most common symptom is sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, although it can also extend along the bottom of the foot. This pain is typically worst with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting or standing.

Menopause can have several effects on the foot fascia, particularly due to the hormonal changes that occur during this period. Here’s how menopause may impact the foot fascia:

1. Decreased Oestrogen Levels:

• Impact on Collagen: Oestrogen plays a significant role in maintaining collagen production, which is crucial for the elasticity and strength of connective tissues, including the fascia. During menopause, oestrogen levels drop, leading to reduced collagen production. This reduction can cause the fascia to become less elastic and more prone to stiffness or injury.
• Plantar Fasciitis: With less elastic and more fragile fascia, women going through menopause may be at higher risk for conditions like plantar fasciitis, where the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed, leading to heel pain.

2. Changes in Foot Structure:

• Loss of Cushioning: Menopause can also lead to changes in body fat distribution, often resulting in the loss of the natural fat pads in the feet. This loss of cushioning can increase pressure on the fascia, exacerbating conditions like plantar fasciitis or causing general foot discomfort.
• Altered Foot Shape: The ligaments in the feet may become more lax due to decreased collagen, potentially leading to a change in foot shape, such as flattening of the arches (fallen arches or flat feet). This can place additional stress on the foot fascia.

3. Bone Density Loss:

• Risk of Stress Fractures: The decrease in bone density associated with menopause can lead to an increased risk of stress fractures in the feet. These fractures can cause compensatory changes in gait, putting extra strain on the foot fascia.

4. Increased Joint Pain and Stiffness:

• Inflammation: Menopause is often associated with increased joint pain and stiffness due to inflammation, which can also affect the joints in the feet. This inflammation can extend to the fascia, leading to pain and discomfort.

Overall, menopause can make the foot fascia more vulnerable to injury and discomfort due to the combined effects of hormonal changes, loss of tissue elasticity, and alterations in foot structure. Maintaining good foot health, wearing supportive footwear, and seeking professional advice from a podiatrist can help manage these changes effectively.

30/09/2025

As sneakers get taller, experts weigh in on the shoes of the future and what they mean for your running health.

19/08/2025

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Study Demonstrates Importance of Plantar Fascia and Windlass in Maintaining Stiffness of Longitudinal Arch of Foot

Finite Element Analysis of Plantar Fascia During Walking: A Quasi-static Simulation

Yen-Nien Chen, MSc, Chih-Wei Chang, MD, MSc, Chun-Ting Li, MSc, Chih-Han Chang, PhD, and Cheng-Feng Lin, PT, PhD

Abstract: The plantar fascia is a primary arch supporting structure of the foot and is often stressed with high tension during ambulation. When the loading on the plantar fascia exceeds its capacity, the inflammatory reaction known as plantar fasciitis may occur. Mechanical overload has been identified as the primary causative factor of plantar fasciitis. However, a knowledge gap exists between how the internal mechanical responses of the plantar fascia react to simple daily activities. Therefore, this study investigated the biomechanical responses of the plantar fascia during loaded stance phase by use of the finite element (FE) modeling.

Methods: A 3-dimensional (3-D) FE foot model comprising bones, cartilage, ligaments, and a complex-shaped plantar fascia was constructed. During the stance phase, the kinematics of the foot movement was reproduced and Achilles tendon force was applied to the insertion site on the calcaneus. All the calculations were made on a single healthy subject.

Results: The results indicated that the plantar fascia underwent peak tension at preswing (83.3% of the stance phase) at approximately 493 N (0.7 body weight). Stress concentrated near the medial calcaneal tubercle. The peak von Mises stress of the fascia increased 2.3 times between the midstance and preswing. The fascia tension increased 66% because of the windlass mechanism.

Conclusion: Because of the membrane element used in the ligament tissue, this FE model was able to simulate the mechanical structure of the foot. After prescribing kinematics of the distal tibia, the proposed model indicated the internal fascia was stressed in response to the loaded stance phase.

Clinical Relevance: Based on the findings of this study, adjustment of gait pattern to reduce heel rise and Achilles tendon force may lower the fascia loading and may further reduce pain in patients with plantar fasciitis.

(Chen YN, Chang CW, Li CT, Chang CH, Lin CF. Finite element analysis of plantar fascia during walking: a quasi-static simulation. Foot & ankle international. 2015 Jan;36(1):90-97.)

https://journals.sagepub.com/.../10.1177/1071100714549189

24/04/2025

Non resolving pain and redness in toe - get in touch

Retronychia is a type of ingrown nail where the toenail ingrows at the cuticle (or more specifically, the proximal nail fold) rather than at the sides of the nail plate. The nail plate grows backward into the nail bed, and can be very painful. It is characterised by repeated flares of infection (par...

31/03/2025

The Lasègue test, or Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR), is one of the most commonly used maneuvers in clinical evaluation of sciatica pain and lumbar radicolopathy. This test is based on the tension of the sciatic nerve and its peripheral branches (tibial nerve and peroneal nerve), providing a clear indication of possible compression at the level of the lombosacral nerve roots.

How is the test performed ?

The patient is in superior position. Therapist passively lifts the extended lower limb while keeping the extended knee. The angle of elevation is between 40° and 50°, because at this stage the sciatic nerve enters maximum tension. If the patient reports pain radiated along the sciatic nerve course, the test is positive and suggests possible compression or root irritation.

Awareness test: foot reflexion

To increase the specifics of the test, the clinician may add a passive dissipation of the foot. This gesture causes a further stretching of the sciatic nerve, intensifying the pain in case of nerve irritation.

Why is it important ?

If dorsiflexion increases pain, the likelihood of lumbar radicolopathy increases. Instead, if the pain remains unchanged or is located only at the lumbar level, it could be a musculoskeletal or myofascial dysfunction (for example, piriform syndrome or better sciatic-pelvic functional neuropathy*).

What does the Lasègue test say to us?

Pain between 30° and 70° elevation → possible lumbar disc hernia compressing the root of L4-L5 or L5-S1.

Pain above 70° → less likely root involvement; could be ischiocrural muscle tension.

Pain that reduces by flexion of the knee → probable involvement of the sciatic nerve and not other muscle structures.

Link with the lumbar root diseases

As shown in the image, a protrusion or herniated disc between L4 and L5 can compress the L5 nerve root, causing pain radiated down the course of the sciatic nerve to the foot.

Common symptoms associated with L5 radicolopathy

Lower back pain radiating down the lateral face of the thigh and leg.
Deficiency of dissipation of the tooth and the foot.
Alterations of the sensitivity in the back of the foot.

If instead the hernia involves L5-S1, the pain radiates down the back of the thigh and leg up to the lateral margin of the foot.

Is Lasègue's test enough for diagnosis?

Nope! Lasègue’s test is an indicator of radical suffering, but alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. It must be associated with other neurological tests (reflexes, muscle strength, dermatomeric sensitivity assessment) and, if necessary, confirmed with imaging (lumbar RM).

Conclusion

The Lasègue test is a fundamental tool in the assessment of lumbosciatalgic pain, allowing to differentiate between a problem of nerve origin and musculoskeletal dysfunction. However, it should always be interpreted in a broader clinical context to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Doctor of physical therapy

20/01/2025

07/01/2025

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♻️♻️ Embracing Sustainability: The Journey to an Eco-Friendly Podiatry Practice ♻️♻️

As dedicated healthcare professionals, our primary goal is to improve our patients' health and well-being.

In doing so, we must also consider the health of our planet 🌱🌎🌿 With the growing awareness of environmental issues, adopting eco-friendly practices in our private podiatry clinics can make a significant impact on both our surroundings and our patients' experiences.

Tips on how to make our practices greener:

🌱 Ditching disposables and embracing reusables
🌱 Going digital to reduce paper usage
🌱 Eco-friendly cleaning products
🌱 Indoor plants for improved air quality and aesthetics
🌱 Sustainable flooring and wall-covering options

20/12/2024

Merry Christmas, see you all in 2025!!

17/12/2024

🚨 Are you looking for a novel and simplified way for ensuring safe return to sport following ankle sprain? 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♂️

📣 Introducing the Ankle-GO™ score - a tool that helps you guide return to sport decisions

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21/11/2024

If you’re suffering from heel pain have a look and start doing the exercises below to help-

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17/10/2024

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