Tom Willemann Health Tips

"Regular Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."

Use the Form Below to Get Them All Sent to You for FREE

Can Orthotics Help Ease Patellafemoral (knee cap) pain?

Tom Willemann |

The American College of Sport Medicine in their journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Vol. 43 No 9in 2011 recently looked at which patients would benefit from prefabricated orthotics for patellafemoral pain or  knee cap pain. The study demonstrated that  >78% of participants showed a “marked improvement” when they had 3 out 4 of the following factors:

  • Ankle Dorsiflexion <41 degrees with knee flexed (ie calf flexibility)
  • Single Leg Squat reduced pain with orthotic
  • Usual Pain Levels in mild to moderate range
  • Wear Poor Footwear (ie loafers, sandals, non rigid shoes )

There were limitations to this study but it provides patients with a low cost option as compared to custom orthotics that are generally significantly higher in cost and typically not covered by insurance. This study did not have a control group therefore it is unclear if some of the patients would improve by the end of the 12 week time period with simply the passage of time. Here is  a link to the orthotics used in the study http://tinyurl.com/3rjgfdq.

Foot Orthotic
Foot Orthotic

I feel it can be  a good compliment to the physical therapy program when its indicated.  If you are unsure whether you are candidate for orthotics  contact us at Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation for a complimentary evaluation  This is open for former patients and  anyone from the Paramus, Ridgewood and the greater Bergen County.

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
Tom Willemann

Latest posts by Tom Willemann (see all)

Share This