News — PPL Article

We have seen a big shift in the construction of football boots over the past 15-20 years. The day of robust and durable leather boots are a thing of the past and are fast being replaced with lightweight synthetic materials. Revolutionary cleat placements have also changed the dynamics and functionality of these boots drastically. The first signs of change were implemented by Adidas in the 1950’s with the introduction of interchangeable cleats. This allowed for customization of the boots based on underfoot conditions and the sport being played. In the following decades, further changes were made to reduce mass and...

Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction Patients usually present with medial foot pain, decreased function and flattening of the arch.  Often described as “acquired flat foot”, this condition is most commonly a result of overuse and damage to the structures supporting the medial longitudinal arch. Tibialis posterior’s main function is to stabilise the mid foot and control contact phase pronation, with a lesser role in contributing to propulsive phase supination. Tibialis posterior dysfunction can be defined in 4 different stages which serve as a guide to management. Stage I: The tendon is still intact and functioning but inflamed Stage II: The tendon has...

Analysing gait can provide critical information in both diagnosis and rehabilitation of injuries. Gait analysis measures the mechanical factors of joint loading, orientation, and neuromuscular function during walking/running. Assessing whole body mechanics during both walking and running can allow clinicians to identify the presence of abnormalities and asymmetries which may be affecting the patient. Gait analysis can range from a basic visual assessment of walking/running along a straight path or treadmill, to 3D kinematic and kinetic analysis using multiple cameras and force/pressure platforms. 3D Motion Capture 3D motion capture requires the use of retroreflective markers and a number of laser...

Achilles Tendinopathy Achilles Tendinopathy commonly presents in the form of posterior ankle pain and is the most common overuse syndrome of the lower limb, most frequently occurring in runners. Signs include tenderness on palpation of the tendon, a thickened tendon, palpable nodules and some swelling and wasting of the tendon. It can be the result of repeated injuries to the tendon, overuse of the tendon or wearing inappropriate footwear while exercising. This condition can be incapacitating in athletes and is a degenerative rather than an inflammatory condition. A.T. can be classified as mid-portion tendinopathy (2-6cm proximal to calcaneal insertion) or...