Foot pain can be a disabiliting problem originating from different backgrounds. The most common type of foot pain is Plantar Fasciitis, which occurs when the long, flat ligament on the sole of the foot (Plantar Fascia) stretches irregularly and develops small tears that cause the ligament to become inflamed. The pain can be on the heel, arch and sole of the foot. It is described as dull, aching or sharp, and can be easily reproduced by flexing the toes upwards to tense the fascia.

It usually develops gradually starting with pain specifically on the inside of the heel, slowly spreading towards the sole of the foot causing the individual to limp when walking. Heel pain accompanies physical activities and may also occur when taking the first steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for a long period of time.

It is known that the biomechanics of the foot/ankle/leg can contribute to the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis. Usually it is found that the athlete “over pronates” turning the foot inwards, when running or walking which involves an excessive rolling of the inner arch of the foot, stressing the Achilles tendon.

The hip joint is a very mobile joint formed by the articulation of the rounded head of the thighbone (femur) and the cup-like acetabulum of the pelvis. It forms the primary connection between the bones of the lower limb and the trunk and pelvis.

Hip pain is not just felt in the hip itself. Some people may feel pain in the groin, lower back, or legs or from the muscle of the hip joint itself. This is ‘referred pain’, which is where pain experienced in one area of the body is actually generated in another region. It is important that referred pain is diagnosed correctly. Other related signs of hip problems, that should be reviewed by a doctor include:

Hip pain that persists beyond a few days
Hip pain that occurs at night, or while resting
Not being able to stand in one place for too long
Swelling of the hip or the thigh area
Pain from the hip joint is often felt in the groin. This may feel like a tightening or throbbing in the inner thigh. Pain over the outside of the hip is usually not caused by a hip joint problem, and is more commonly related to Trochateric Bursitis or a trapped nerve in the lower region of the back, causing lower back pain as a consequence.

Stiffness and grinding in the hip are typically symptoms of hip arthritis, which is a wearing away of the normal smooth cartilage within the hip joint. This can leave bone to grind against bone. Stiffness can also be experienced by patients who have childhood conditions that cause an abnormally shaped hip joint, such as Congenital Hip Dislocations (Dysplasia), or Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.

A limited motion of the hip in normal activities can result from a damaged or deformed hip joint. For example, the degenerate bone and subsequent related pain from hip osteoarthritis often makes it painful for a person to carry out the full range of hip movements. Some people may have trouble bending their hip to put on their socks or shoes, or lifting the leg to walk upstairs.

More commonly seen in people who participate in such sports as ice hockey, football, golf and ballet are at higher risk of developing a hip labral tear (rupture of the ring-like structure that helps to hold the femur in place). Structural abnormalities of the hip also can lead to a hip labral tear, accompanied by cyst formation. Symptoms include hip pain or a “catching” sensation in your hip joint. Initial treatment may include pain relievers and physical therapy. Using arthroscopic techniques, surgeons can remove loose fragments from within the joint and trim or repair the hip labral tear.

Knee pain can be caused by trauma, misalignment, and degeneration as well as by conditions like arthritis. The most common knee disorder is generally known as patellofemoral syndrome. The majority of minor cases of knee pain can be treated at home with rest and ice but more serious injuries do require surgical care. One form of patellofemoral syndrome involves a tissue-related problem that creates pressure and irritation in the knee (patellar compression syndrome) causing pain.

The second major class of knee disorder is Patella Tendinopathy, where the patella (knee cap) tendon becomes dysfunctional and inflamed.

Age also contributes to disorders of the knee. Particularly in older people, knee pain frequently arises due to osteoarthritis. In addition, weakening of the muscles around the knee may contribute to the problem.

Cartilage lesions can be caused by

• Accidents (fractures)
• Muscle injuries
• The removal of a meniscus
• Anterior cruciate ligament injury
• Posterior cruciate ligament injury
• Posterolateral corner injury
• Medial knee injuries
• Considerable strain on the knee.

Any kind of work during which the knees undergo heavy stress may also be detrimental to cartilage. This is especially the case in professions in which people frequently have to walk, lift, or squat. Other causes of pain may be excessive on, and wear of, the knees, in combination with such things as muscle weakness and overweight.

Common complaints are a painful, blocked, locked or swollen knee. Sufferers sometimes feel as if their knees are about to give way, or may feel uncertain about their movement.

The knee joint joins the thigh with the lower leg and consists of two articulations: one between the femur and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a pivotal hinge joint, which permits flexion and extension as well as a slight rotation. Since in humans the knee supports nearly the whole weight of the body, it is vulnerable to both acute injury (ligament sprain, muscle strain, meniscus tear) and the development of diseases.

Knee pain can be caused by trauma, misalignment, and degeneration as well as by conditions like arthritis. The most common knee disorder is generally known as patellofemoral syndrome. The majority of minor cases of knee pain can be treated at home with rest and ice but more serious injuries do require surgical care. One form of patellofemoral syndrome involves a tissue-related problem that creates pressure and irritation in the knee (patellar compression syndrome) causing pain.

The second major class of knee disorder is Patella Tendinopathy, where the patella (knee cap) tendon becomes dysfunctional and inflamed.

Age also contributes to disorders of the knee. Particularly in older people, knee pain frequently arises due to osteoarthritis. In addition, weakening of the muscles around the knee may contribute to the problem.

Cartilage lesions can be caused by:
Accidents (fractures)
Muscle injuries
The removal of a meniscus
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Posterior cruciate ligament injury
Posterolateral corner injury
Medial knee injuries
Considerable strain on the knee.

Any kind of work during which the knees undergo heavy stress may also be detrimental to cartilage. This is especially the case in professions in which people frequently have to walk, lift, or squat. Other causes of pain may be excessive on, and wear of, the knees, in combination with such things as muscle weakness and overweight.

Common complaints are a painful, blocked, locked or swollen knee. Sufferers sometimes feel as if their knees are about to give way, or may feel uncertain about their movement.

Sciatic Pain, also know as Sciatica, is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. Pain can be severe in prolonged exposure to cold weather.

Although sciatica is a relatively common form of lower back pain and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms often differs, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms and pain levels. It can be caused by a compression of the sciatic nerve roots caused by a herniated (torn) or protruding disc in the lower back.

Calcific tendonitis is a condition that causes the formation of a small sized calcium deposit within any tendon in the body. The most common place are the tendons of the rotator cuff. These deposits are usually found in individuals at least 30-40 years old. The calcium deposits are not always painful, and even when painful they will often spontaneously resolve after a period of one to four weeks. It is linked to many other conditions, such as Adhesive Capsulitis and Subacromial Impingement.

What causes it?
The cause of calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendon (calcific tendonitis) is not entirely understood. Different ideas have been suggested, including blood supply and ageing of the tendon, but the evidence to support these conclusions is not clear. One of the most compelling arguments is delayed healing.

Usually the tendon heals through the action of collagen forming cells (fibroblasts). After a period of weeks or months, the fibroblasts become less numerous in the region and are replaced by osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The osteoblasts, in turn stimulate the growth of bone (calcium) in the tendon. Hence the main reason for the development of calcific tendonitis appears to be delayed healing.

​Calcific Tendinitis typical course
Pre-calcification Stage: individuals usually do not have any symptoms in this stage. At this point in time, the site where the calcifications tend to develop undergo cellular changes that predispose the tissues to developing calcium deposits.

Calcific Stage: during this stage, the calcium is excreted from cells and then coalesces into calcium deposits. When seen, the calcium looks chalky, it is not a solid piece of bone. Once the calcification has formed, a so-called resting phase begins, this is not a painful period and may last a varied length of time. After the resting phase, a resorptive phase begins–this is the most painful phase of calcific tendonitis. During this resorptive phase, the calcium deposit looks something like toothpaste.

Postcalcific Stage: this is usually a painless stage as the calcium deposit disappears and is replaced by more normal appearing rotator cuff tendon.
Symptoms

As Calcific Tendinitis is directly linked to Frozen Shoulder and Adhesive Capsulitis, symptoms can be the same as those conditions:

• pain on movement
• stiffness and lack of movement
• painful swelling around the joint
• can present bulging tendons due to crystal deposits

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, located at the bottom of your foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. It acts like a shock-absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch of the foot.
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Individuals usually experience stabbing pain that usually occurs in the first steps in the morning. The pain eases off once the foot limbers up, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.
Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in runners. In addition, people who are overweight and those who wear shoes with inadequate support are at risk of plantar fasciitis.

What causes it?
If tension on plantar fascia (bowstring) becomes too great, it can create small tears in the fascia. Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed. The most common risk factors that cause Plantar Fasciitis are:

Age: plantar fasciitis is most common between the ages of 40 and 60.

Certain types of exercise: activities that place a lot of stress on your heel and attached tissue — such as long-distance running, ballet dancing and dance aerobics — can contribute to an earlier onset of plantar fasciitis.

Faulty foot mechanics: being flat-footed, having a high arch or even having an abnormal pattern of walking can adversely affect the way weight is distributed when you’re standing and put added stress on the plantar fascia.

Obesity: excess pounds put extra stress on your plantar fascia. In additon there are theories that obesity causes inflammation.

Occupations that keep you on your feet: factory workers, teachers and others who spend most of their work hours walking or standing on hard surfaces can irritate their plantar fascia.

Symptoms
stabbing pain on heel and/or sole of the foot
pain that is worse in the mornings and eases off with movement
pain when standing after periods of inactivity