Musculoskeletal

Lower limb pain and dysfunction can affect your mobility, comfort, and performance. JC Podiatry offers musculoskeletal consultations to assess and treat injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. We tailor treatment plans to your needs, helping you recover, prevent future issues, and get back to doing what you love.

Musculoskeletal Podiatry and Injury Management

What Is Musculoskeletal Podiatry?

Musculoskeletal podiatry focuses on diagnosing and managing conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints of the lower limbs. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, chronic pain, or biomechanical imbalance, a thorough assessment can uncover the root cause and guide effective treatment.

At JC Podiatry, we provide expert musculoskeletal care to patients across Palmerston North, Manawatū, and the Tararua region. Our approach combines clinical expertise with a personalised understanding of your activity levels and goals.

What to Expect During a Consultation

Your musculoskeletal assessment will include:

• Detailed History
  We’ll discuss your symptoms, activity levels, injury history, and any contributing factors.
• Physical Examination
  This includes testing muscle strength, joint range of motion, and flexibility. We’ll also assess for tenderness, swelling, or structural abnormalities.
• Gait and Movement Analysis
  Observing how you walk and move helps us identify biomechanical issues that may be contributing to pain or dysfunction.
• Footwear Review
  We’ll evaluate your current footwear and offer advice on supportive options that suit your lifestyle and foot type.
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
  Based on our findings, we’ll develop a tailored treatment plan to address your condition and support recovery.

Common Conditions We Treat

We regularly help patients manage a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis (Plantar Heel Pain)
  A common cause of heel pain, often linked to overuse, poor footwear, or biomechanical stress.
• Achilles Tendinopathy
  Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, typically caused by repetitive strain or sudden increases in activity.
• Calf Injuries
  Muscle strains or tears in the calf can affect walking and running. We assess severity and guide rehabilitation.
• Ankle Sprains
  Ligament injuries from twisting or rolling the ankle. Early management helps prevent chronic instability.
• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
  Pain along the inner edge of the shin, often seen in runners or those increasing activity too quickly.
• Sesamoiditis
  Inflammation of the small bones beneath the big toe, causing forefoot pain and difficulty with push-off during walking.

Treatment Options

Your treatment plan may include:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Activity modification and load management
• Orthotic therapy or footwear changes
• Taping or bracing
• Referral for imaging or specialist input if needed

We focus on restoring function, reducing pain, and preventing recurrence — whether you’re an athlete, a weekend walker, or someone simply wanting to move more comfortably.