Physio/podiatrist in Midlands?

Hi All.

I'm new to the forum and would much appreciate some advice. I wonder if anybody could recommend a podiatrist/physio (I'm unsure which I need) in the Midlands please? I live near Shrewsbury, Shropshire and don't mind travelling if necessary.

I have pain in my left knee which at its worst prevents me from running at all; if the following sounds familiar and if anybody has any advice or suggestions, I'd be most grateful - I've scoured the forum and have heard similar things: the pain in my left knee is most noticeable when running down hill and on each foot strike there's a sharp pain; after a run there's left hip pain too and pain in my left knee when even walking down stairs/hills, plus tightness in the muscle over my left knee (also, if I sit with my left leg bent at an angle with my left foot resting on my right knee, I experience pain in my left hip and the left leg can't relax and sits at a high, upright angle; my right leg however seems 'normal' and I can cross my leg, resting my right foot on my left knee with no pain or stiffness in my right leg, and it rests at a low, relaxed angle). As this pain develops over a few runs (even with a rest of a couple of days between each run), it reaches the stage where running is no longer possible as the left knee becomes excrucitaing with every strike of the foot.

As a result of the problem I've seen a podiatrist in the West Mids who performs manipulation on my legs (pressing pressure points and pushing against my legs). He has explained (I'm no medical man and only go on his advice) that the pain in the knee is 'myofascial' (which as I understand means pain showing up in reaction to stress generated in another area?) and is a result of overstressing/twisting/overstretching the left ankle and/or knee, which removes the ability for the popliteus muscle behind the knee to function; soft/deep muscle in the hip (which shouldn't be used, or shouldn't be used as much) then compensates for the inability for the popliteus to function, and this undue stress on muslces which are working to compensate translates as myofascial pain in the knee.

After a session of this 'manipulation' with the podiatrist I can run fine and with no pain or stiffness, but only for about a week or so when the problem returns to become gradually worse again. I think the podiatrist is good and comes generally recommended, but I would like to consider another opinion/possible solution in seeking to remove - if hope be such a thing - this problem for good. Also as I can't afford to travel to the West Mids every other week for such a session. Currently I'm very steadily trying to run after another visit to the podiastrist, just doing short (20 minute) flat road runs with short strides and strecthing every day (he advises stretching the inner calf muscle will help prevent me developing this problem again). The left knee feels ok so far but some stiffness still shows up on a slight downhill and I just hope that the stiffness goes with the stretching and short runs instead of re-emerging as this pain...


If you've got to the end reading this, many thanks; if you have a recommendation for a podistrist/physio in the Midlands or any experience and/or possible solution to my problem, I would be a very happy man and most grateful.


Thanks and best regards.

where abouts is the pain on the knee? sounds very much like what i'm just coming back from.

Hi Beasty,

Thanks for your reply. The pain is in the front of the left knee and feels like it's occurring under the knee cap. Did you see a podiatrist or physio about your recent injury and if so, would you be able to recommend one please?

Cheers,

Al

Ah, my pain was just on the very edge of the knee cap.

I saw a sports therapist in Coventry (sports therapy is a bit of massage a bit of physio a bit of chiro) I found that unlike with muscle issues, the improvements were in stops and starts, so no change for two -three weeks, then suddenly i could run another 3mi. Most of the treatments were trying to loosen off bits and bobs which would then tighten up again when i ran. I was having two treatments per week for approx 2 months but getting back to it now.

Thanks Beasty. If you recommend your sports therapist I would consider their opinion on my problem, if you'd be happy to let me know please? Your treatment sounds similar to what I have been having - loosening off muscles and the like which would tighten up/switch off after a run. On my sessions, I was under the impression that one session would resolve the issue, then if the problem comes back (if you tighten up) have the treatment again, instead of a range of treatment sessions to make the situation progressively better, like it sounds that you have had. I'm willing to try whichever way may be best.

All the best with your own recovery and thanks for your comments.