Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot Problems
A report on the scientific literature
By
William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP
Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAPM, DAAMLP
*in this paper, we are listing research to help the public to understand that what chiropractors do correlates with the scientific evidence.
Just as it is less common for patients to know that chiropractors treat the arms and hands, it is equally common for people to miss that the hip, knee, ankle and foot also fall under chiropractic care. In a recent study published in 2009 by Brantingham et al, 2009, the authors reviewed all the research to date that was relevant to chiropractic and treatment of the hips, knee, ankle and foot. The research is growing at an incredible rate and is an important part of chiropractic’s role in healthcare.
The authors reported “The data demonstrate that most chiropractors, based upon their professional training, routinely diagnose and treat extremity conditions” (p54). They also state “Extremity treatment is the second most frequently applied procedure within the chiropractic profession, with 76.1% reportedly using spinal and extremity procedures as compared with 18.7% who limit their practice to the spine only”. (p54).
The following chart will help you to see what conditions fell under the review of this research paper and how many studies there were related to a specific condition.
Condition
|
Responded to Chiropractic Care
|
Study Name and Date
|
Hip Osteoarthritis
|
YES
|
Hoeksma et al 2004
Brantingham et al 2003
MacDonald et al 2006
|
Knee Osteoarthritis
|
YES
|
Deyle et al 2000
Deyle et al 2005
Tucker et al 2003
Moss et al 2007
Hillerman et al 2006
Cliborne et al 2004
Currier et al 2007
|
Ankle Sprain
|
YES
|
Pellow and Brantingham 2001
Green et al 2001
Coetzer et al 2001
Eisenhart et al 2003
Collins et al 2004
Vicenzino et al 2006
Lopez-Rodriquez et al 2007
Kohne et al 2007
|
Plantar Facitis
|
YES
|
Dimou et al 2004
|
Metatarsalgia (pain in the foot)
|
YES
|
Peterson et al 2003
Govender et al 2007
|
Big Toe Pain
|
YES
|
Shamus et al 2004
Brantingham et al 2005
|
The authors concluded “Overall, when reviewing the increasing quantity and quality of included trials, manual therapy [Chiropractic adjustment] for lower extremity disorders appears to be of value and fundamentally safe”. (p66).
When it comes to your health, nothing is more important than your nervous system. That is why doctors of chiropractic will always screen your spine for evidence of Vertebral Subluxation while they are attending to problems in other areas of your body. If you are suffering with problems in your hips, knees, ankles or feet, chiropractic care has been show to have positive effects on symptoms and function. Consult with a local doctor of chiropractic today, you’ll be glad you did.
1. James W. Brantingham, DC, PhD, Gary Globe, DG, MBA, PhD, Henry Pollard, DG,Marian Hicks, MSLS, Gharmaine Korporaal, MTech:Chiropractic and Wayne Hoskins, BGhSc, MGhiro MANIPULATIVE THERAPY FOR LOWER EXTREMITY CONDITIONS: EXPANSION OF LITERATURE REVIEW. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32:53-71.