Editor's Note: The following is the first of three case studies by Dr. Wong on conservative management of lower-extremity complaints.
History & Subjective Complaints
Patient reports with pain in the front part of her right knee, especially during and after her weekly Zumba class. She states there has been no injury of which she is aware. No outward sign of injury is observed.
Objective Findings & Vitals
Patient is an African-American female, 42 years old. Height: 5'8." Weight: 140 lbs.
Objective Orthopedic and Neurological Findings
Patient is a non-smoker and non-drinker, and her blood pressure and pulse rate fall within normal range. BMI is healthy. She shows moderate calcaneal eversion with hyperpronation on the right and mild bilateral knee valgus. There is a limitation in lumbosacral motion with tenderness and loss of mobility to the right; compensating subluxation is noted.
Range-of-motion tests in knees demonstrate ROM to be full and bilaterally pain-free. Muscle testing shows no abnormal weakness. Neurologic testing is negative.
Radiology
No abnormalities detected.
Clinical Impressions and Working Diagnosis
Elevated Q-angle foot pronation leading to patellofemoral arthralgia on the right. This is accompanied by lumbosacral joint motion restriction and compensatory lower thoracic subluxation.
Treatment
Response to Care and Discussion
The patient responded well to adjustments and reported a significant decrease in symptoms. Within two weeks of beginning to wear orthotics, she reported further decrease in pain and limitation. She recently completed a weekend-long Zumba "camp," throughout which she remained pain free.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
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Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
