Soles are a perfect match for Alex (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Soles are a perfect match for Alex

9:37am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in Search By Sally Clifford

Tennis hopeful Alex Johnston hopes to return to the competitive circuit – thanks to some special insoles.

The promising ace’s progress has been hampered by injury since becoming a full-time professional player two years ago, but since seeking help through the Valley Clinic in his home town of Ilkley, Alex is hopeful his competitive career could soon be back on track.

Alex was attending the clinic for regular post-operative physiotherapy sessions with Liz Blizzard, a physiotherapist who wears special insoles for knee pain caused by wear and tear through sport.

Liz recommended Alex to see podiatrist Jonathan Stanley at the Ilkley clinic she set up last year. Jonathan, who specialises in musculoskeletal problems, has worked with the England cricket team and Bradford Bulls.

His training in musculoskeletal medicine – biomechanics – enables him to study the body's movements during walking, running and other sporting activities to assess the affects that movements are having on the body.

Special insoles were created to correct the position of Alex’s foot which was causing his knee to twist. Jonathan devised a numerical prescription which was sent, along with plaster of Paris cast impressions he took of Jonathan’s foot, to a laboratory where the special insoles, known as orthotics, were created.

“It is a treatment option,” says Jonathan. “Over the years I have treated thousands of patients, as have other colleagues of mine, to good effect. Orthotics help improve overall posture and gait with hopefully a reduction in their symptoms.”

Says Alex: “The insoles have effectively and painlessly altered the way I bear weight through my foot, which, in turn, relieved the pressure on my affected knee.”

Alex suffered his first serious knee injury two years ago while playing tennis in Barcelona. A scan revealed that he had torn his meniscus – the cartilage outside the knee.

Alex had two operations to help rectify the problem and is now wearing the special insoles to stabilise his knee.

“With sports people, orthotics can help correct your gait. The ones I have get me to change the position of the way I push down when I walk. It takes the pressure off the outside of the knee,” explains Alex.

“Using the orthotics has made a huge difference to me. Maintaining match fitness is a constant challenge for an aspiring athlete and it is frustrating to be off court, so having help from professionals who can quickly diagnose and find solutions that work is extremely important to me.”

Alex had a slight setback when he recently twisted and fell on his ankle during a training session at the tennis academy he attends in Surrey. Following extensive physiotherapy sessions at the Valley Clinic, using hands-on technique, exercise and electrotherapy to reduce swelling and promote healing, Alex is hopeful he will be back on court soon.

“I will have to be careful at first and try not to do too much, too soon, but I am already looking ahead to a tournament next month,” he says.

Alex’s interest in the game began while watching his parents play on family holidays. Encouraged by them, Alex began lessons. He started playing seriously when he was ten. After moving to Ilkley, aged 11, Alex started playing with the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

He decided to become a professional sportsman after completing his GCSEs and went to Barcelona to play, before his knee injury forced him to return home to recuperate.

Alex has already played on the first rung of the international circuit in Texas and Mexico and is considering playing for an American College team.