This post, about why some acute injuries don’t heal, is an educational piece edited from a comment I wrote in response to an article in Scientific American titled ‘The Ways We Talk About Pain’.
The definition of an acute injury is an injury that has a rapid onset and is followed by a short and severe course. For example; you fall off a ladder, injure your knee, and it takes about two or three months to heal.
But why is it that some people incur an acute injury to a weight bearing bone or joint, that should heal within an expected period of time, but instead becomes debilitating and seems to drag on forever?
Part of the answer is in the overall health of the injured person. But there is another factor, commonly overlooked, that can make a seemingly minor trauma into a severe injury. That factor lies in biomechanics. That is; how you stand and move can directly impact how quickly an injury (to your weight bearing bone or joint) heals.
For example: Two people incur an acute injury to their knee. Because the knee joint is a weight bearing joint, the healing of the injury will be influenced by their biomechanics.
If one person has efficient biomechanics (the body stands and moves in a linear/non twisting fashion) his knee will heal probably heal faster and with less pain, than the other person, who has inefficient biomechanics (the body stands and moves in a torsional/twisting fashion).
What determines if the body has efficient or inefficient biomechanics?
In large part: your feet determine your body’s biomechanics. If you have a normal foot structure, your foot is structurally stable and you will have efficient biomechanics. The result is that your foot does not twist as you stand or walk. When your foot does not twist, everything above it doesn’t twist (including your knee). And so your acute knee injury, over a reasonable period of time, will heal.
If you have an abnormal foot structure – such as the Rothbarts Foot or PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity – your foot is structurally unstable. The result is that your foot will twist as you stand or walk. When your foot twists, everything above it will twist (including your knee). And so, your acute knee injury will take longer to heal.
For more information on biomechanics, read: How Biomechanics have Contributed To Resolving Chronic Pain.
For more information on foot twist, read: If Your Shoes Could Talk, What Would They Say?
As you learn more about my innovative therapy, you may find that addressing and effectively treating your foot structure may be the missing link to ending your long time battle with unrelenting knee, hip and back pain.
If you have questions about what’s involved in being treated with Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy, see our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Page.
If you would like to contact me regarding an appointment to resolve your pain, click here.
Professor/Dr Brian A Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of the International Academy RPT
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain and The Foots Connection to Chronic Pain
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You addressed the question I've asked myself and my doctors for years–" why is it that some people incur an acute injury to a weight bearing bone or joint, that should heal within an expected period of time, but instead becomes debilitating and seems to drag on forever?"
I was the passenger in an auto accident. The driver was back to work in a week. But even though I had no broken bones, 2 years later I was still in terrible pain. The combination of pain and the effect of pain pills made it impossible to work. I started going from doctor to doctor, asking why I wasn't getting better. Over and over I heard, "It's all in your head." some accused me of doctor shopping to get pain pills–even though I begged every doctor to help me find something OTHER than pain pills to help me get by. after a while, even I began to doubt my own sanity–wondering if maybe unconsciously I was making it up. But in my heart I know that if I'm crazy, it's only from years of having doctors tell me there's no reason for my pain. I'd like to take this article and shove it down all their throats!
Dear Marilyn,
I don’t blame you for being angry. You have every reason.
If you have an inherited abnormal foot structure that predisposes you to chronic pain, the pain symptoms may not develop until after you’ve had an accident. It’s like the straw that broke the camel’s back.
May I suggest that you take the Rothbarts Foot Questionnaire to find out if you may have one of these abnormal foot structures. If you do, my therapy will definitely help you.
The best to you.
Professor/Dr Rothbart