What is Calf Tightness and Forefoot overload?
Calf tightness is a condition whereby the patient is unable to easily bring the foot up fully which leads to various problems in the foot including excessive pressure on the front of the foot. This is termed forefoot overload.
What are the symptoms of Calf Tightness and Forefoot overload?
Achilles tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis, diabetic ulcers, Morton’s neuromas, pes planus, pes cavus, hallux rigidus, hallux valgus and Freiberg’s infraction can all be exacerbated by tightness in the calf muscle. These conditions are discussed separately in this section.
How is Calf Tightness and Forefoot overload diagnosed?
Expert clinical examination is the key to diagnosis. A tight calf-tendon complex can be demonstrated through the Silfverskiold test. This test compares the ability to dorsiflex the ankle with the knee extended or when the knee is flexed. In inflexion, the calf is relaxed and in extension, it is stretched. Any difference between the amounts of dorsiflexion attained is due to the calf muscle.
How is Calf Tightness and Forefoot overload treated?
A dedicated calf stretching course of physiotherapy along with general strength and conditioning has an excellent outcome and no further treatment may be required. If the patient fails to improve the tightness in the calf then a Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release can be performed to allow further improvement with calf stretching. This is a local anaesthetic procedure that requires only a small incision just behind the knee. Risks are low and outcomes have been shown to be excellent in over 80% of patients.
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or is experiencing pain across their lower limbs or difficulty with mobility and would like a consultant-led review, please contact us. Grosvenor Orthopaedics have extensive experience in the treatment of knee-related injuries with excellent patient outcomes.
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Grosvenor Orthopaedics have extensive experience in the treatment of foot & ankle -related injuries with excellent patient outcomes.
FOOT & ANKLE CONDITIONS
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FOOT & ANKLE TREATMENTS
If you would like to learn about other foot & ankle treatments click the button below to find out more
our specialist FOOT & ANKLE consultants
Foot & ankle care at Grosvenor Orthopaedics is lead by Mr Tim Sinnett. A graduate of Cambridge and Imperial College medical schools and leading academic and trauma consultant for Chelsea and Westminster NHS trust. He is further supported by the orthopaedic team here including other consultant surgeons, nurses and care staff.
Our team are well placed to manage and treat a diverse range of foot and ankle concerns utilising cutting edge diagnostic technology and treatment approaches, both surgical and conservative. Below is an overview of some of the conditions we treat but for a more thorough understanding please contact our team here
MR TIM SINNETT
Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist in Foot and Ankle Surgery
What some of our patients say
Miss NN
Thank you and please accept my gratitude for a successful knee surgery and overall a very positive experience. This gold medal is for you!