capsulitis

capsulitis
SHORTENED VIDEO VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE home --> capsulitis Capsulitis by definition is inflammation of a ligament. Anywhere in the body where two bones come together they form a joint; that is what allows movement within the skeletal system. (Your ankle bending up and down is movement of a joint.) Surrounding the joint are the capsular ligaments, which act to keep the two bones lined up in approximation so that the joint can function in its optimal range. Ligaments are very tough tissue, almost leather like in texture. The problem is that you have leather like structures trying to hold bone together (healthy bone has a tensile strength similar to low grade steel). If there is any stress placed on the joint from trauma, or abnormal biomechanical functioning you can be sure the “leather” is going to give out first before the “steel” does. This is what causes capsulitis. Keep in mind that this problem can occur at any joint in the human body and even occurs in a number of places on the foot, but we are going to discuss the classic “capsulitis” as seen in the foot. Below is a skeletal model of the bottom of the forefoot. Note the red checkered area; that is the plantar ligament that is part of the capsular ligament which actually surrounds the whole joint. I have highlighted the plantar ligament because that is the part of the capsular ligament that is most affected in this condition. ACTIVITIES-such as stooping while gardening (similar to the rear foot on the male image below), constantly climbing ladders, doing work low to the ground like electrical or plumbing work. Sports activities such as running, where there is a constant excessive bending of the toes at the level of the metatarsal heads. Walking barefoot, quite often, may also create this problem. SHOES-wearing very high heel shoes. This causes a constant bending at the level of the metatarsal heads which can allow them to over stretch. Flimsy shoes like flip-flops or ballerina shoes, all cause excessive bending of the toes at the level of the blue arrows. The constant excessive bending of these toes will eventually cause the ligaments to overstretch, become inflamed, and then begin to hurt. FOOT ARCHITECTURE-the way your foot is structured, can make some people more susceptible to this condition. Look at the x-ray in the pictures below. You will see the first metatarsal bone is much shorter than the second metatarsal bone. This excessive shortening creates more pressure on the second metatarsal bone at the level of the toes and this may very well end up in a capsulitis. Keeping with my ongoing theme throughout this site; once you have a foot injury, walking on it just re-injures the injured area and thus increases the time it takes for the area to get better, if at all. Typically a patient will present to the office complaining of pain in the forefoot, probably not relating any specific history of trauma, but the pain is just an ongoing nagging type pain. Many times the patient will have neuroma type symptoms. Click here for more information on Morton's neuroma. If you look at the site of Morton's neuroma and capsulitis you can easily see how they can be misinterpreted. Sometimes, but not always, an x-ray may be taken to rule out a stress fracture or possible arthritis within the joint. In most cases, pressing with your thumb at the level where the toe meets the metatarsal head (blue arrows), pain will be felt. Neuroma pain generally occurs between the metatarsal heads, while metatarsalgia will occur directly on pressure on the metatarsal head. An experienced foot specialist should be able to differentiate between the two conditions. Many practitioners not totally familiar with foot pathology will come up with the wrong diagnosis. The good news is some of the conservative treatments for neuroma will also help capsulitis, so even if your doctor is not quite accurate with the diagnosis, relief may still be obtained. CORTISONE INJECTION-should help both conditions. Sometimes upwards of three injections over a course of 3-6 weeks may be necessary to quiet down the pain. ORAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION-for short duration only. SHOE SELECTION-avoiding high heels along with boat shoes, flip flops or any shoe with very flimsy soles should also help as well. Additionally, avoid going barefoot for extended periods of time. REDUCTION IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES-avoiding activities which seem to exacerbate the problem. If you do not eliminate the activities that are creating the problem, then the chances of this condition clearing up, even with medical intervention, is drastically reduced. ORTHOTIC WITH METATARSAL PAD-in individuals where the pain improves but does not “go away” many times I will put them in prescription orthotics with a built in metatarsal pad that basically lifts the metatarsal bone so there is not so much stretching of the plantar capsule as the patient walks. IMMOBILIZATION-wearing a surgical shoe or use of a CAM walker, keeps the toes from bending and over the course of a few weeks can result in the resolution of the problem. SURGERY-people that have rigid hammertoes are more prone to this condition because the nature of the hammertoe deformity itself stretches the ligament. In these cases if all else fails, surgical correction of the hammertoes can be very rewarding. Sometimes a variation in the normal foot architecture (as described above) of the metatarsal bones may cause a capsulitis with none of the other precipitating factors present. Usually a prescription orthotic will help these individuals as well. In instances where an orthotic does not help, surgical remodeling of the metatarsal bone may be necessary. The goal of this surgery is to create a better metatarsal alignment between the affected metatarsal bone and the metatarsal bones adjacent to it. Lastly, a condition known as a "plantar plate tear" is a worsening of this condition. In this instance the ligament has actually torn. This diagnosis can only be made with an MRI or injection of dye into the joint, and then checking for leakage out of the joint. So, in instances where you are undergoing conservative treatment with no real improvement, further testing would be indicated. Treatment in these instances may require not only repair of the torn ligament, but surgical correction of any bony abnormalities that may have precipitated the condition. Certainly a conservative regimen of immobilization of the joint for a period of 4-6 weeks should be tried first in an effort to allow the ligament to heal on its own. Specific Recommendations For This Condition KLM ORTHOTICS In my opinion, the best pre-made orthotic available. Offers the best combination of support and cushioning. Will work in the greatest percentage of people who try a pre-made orthotic. (keep in mind, everyone's foot structure is different and so unlike a prescription orthotic, pre-made devices can be hit or miss). In order to treat capsulitis, this orthotic has to be ordered with a metatarsal pad. Click the link below for a full description. REDITHOTICS Many of you are forced to wear dress shoes on a daily basis and it can be difficult to get an orthotic into a dress shoe since there is limited space. Redithotics are a pre-made orthotic designed specifically for this purpose. In order to treat capsulitis, this orthotic has to be ordered with a metatarsal pad. Click the link below for a full description. Treating capsulitis with orthotics and a metatarsal pad is a far superior method of treatment then taking anti-inflammatory medication on a daily basis for an indefinite period of time. For those of you who suffer from sensitive stomachs, are hypertensive, or have kidney disease, oral anti-inflammatory medication can potentially be hazardous to your health. TOPICAL PAIN RELIEVER unlike other topical medications which give the sensation of heat or cold to mask your pain, Blu-Mjk contains actual pain medication which works directly on your painful area Original article and pictures take http://www.foot-pain-explained.com/capsulitis.html site