People of all age groups in increasing numbers have been following the advice of orthopedic surgeons and have taken a liking to exercise for the assured health benefits. Sports injuries, however, is the upshot of possibly overdoing sports activities in particular or if one’s training regimen is anything but perfect.

Luckily, there are tried and tested treatments for the vast majority of sports injuries. In other words, the treatments have proven to be effective for the most part resulting in sportsmen suffering injuries getting back on their feet. Rather than suffering an injury what’s even better is taking appropriate precautions preventing a host of sports injuries.

Knee Injuries in Sports and Exercise

Due to its complex structure and the capacity to bear weight, the knee is a joint that is more often than not injured. Every year, over 5 1/2 million people are having to visit orthopedic surgeons for knee issues ranging from mild to severe. Some knee problems aren’t as severe and yet quite painful limiting mobility and they are

• runner’s knee
• iliotibial band syndrome
• tendinitis, also called tendinosis

Expectation From Physical Therapy for Knee Pain

Gait evaluation An assessment: how one may be walking is what essentially a gait evaluation is all about.

Palpation In this procedure: the hands are used for touching various areas surrounding the knee for feeling possible disorders or to find out whether touching any part is painful.

The range of motion measurements: The procedure evaluates how far the knee can bend or straighten.

Strength Measurements: there are multiple muscular attachments surrounding the knee, and strength measurement alone can determine if weakened muscles or imbalance is the cause of knee pain.

Assessment of Balance: Balance impairment, Unlimited stress, and strain may affect knee causing pain.

Girth or Swelling Measurements: Sometimes, the knee joint may be swollen after an injury.

Special Tests: Special tests are certain procedures performed surrounding the knee to determine the structure at fault and causing the problem.

Severe Knee Injuries

Knee injuries that are very severe include bruises to the bone or damaged cartilage or ligaments. The knee constitutes of two types of cartilage. The meniscus is a disc in the shape of a crescent works as a shock absorber in times of impact in the area between the lower leg bones and the thigh. The other is cartilage or surface-coating at the junction of both ends of the bones causing friction.

Shin Splints

Broadly, the term “shin splints” refers to leg pain of any type related to workouts. In reality, the term refers to pain alongside the tibia or shin bone, which incidentally is the large bone in the lower leg on the front. The front outside part of the lower leg would be painful.

Treatment

Arch supports and Proper Footwear: As one recover, one ought to check one’s footwear to find out if it needs replacement. Visiting a quality athletic shoe store and getting topnotch footwear is recommended. Consulting a podiatrist is also recommended for advice on whether arch support or orthotics are what is required for one’s arches. Research has revealed orthotics to be effective in preventing the occurrence of medial tibial stress syndrome.

Achilles Tendon Injuries

If the tendon bridging the calf muscle to the rear of the heel is stretched, torn or if any sort of irritation is felt then that is essentially an Achilles tendon injury. The injury occurs so abruptly and agonizingly that they have been known to knock down professional football players shockingly.

Treatment

Poor foot biomechanics like flat foot results in Achilles tendon injuries. Assessing one’s foot prevents recurrence. In some cases, a foot orthotic or shoe insert may be required.

Acute Fractures: Acute fractures are of two types – simple and compound. In a simple acute fracture, there is a clean break with minimal damage to the tissue all around. In a compound acute fracture, a clean break means the bone piercing the skin with again, minimal damage to the tissue all around. The vast majority of acute fractures are critical. Danger looms large if due to a fracture the skin is ripped and one is highly vulnerable to infection.

Stress Fractures: The feet and legs are parts of the human body that are prone to stress fractures as and when athletes take part in sports events including gymnastics or track and field. The lower limbs take a beating as one is running which creates two to three times the pressure of a person’s body weight. What culminates to a stress fracture begins with a pain originating at the site worsening with carrying heavy weight. The pain is accompanied by tender and swelling.

Heel Pain

Heel Pain originates at the base of the foot or at ankle joints and is a chronic and throbbing pain without any associated risk factor. However, heel pain inhibits mobility and therefore daily activities are restricted. Heel spurs grow underneath the heel and are bony protrusions and this is essentially a heel spur syndrome. Heel spurs form as a result of a band of fibrous tissue stretching beneath the foot connecting the heel bone to the plantar fascia. The spur grows in the same direction as the plantar fascia and the appearance is that of a hook.

Treatment

Foot orthotics are essentially custom foot supports. These are inserted in the shoes. Orthotics support the arch, which helps even distribution of the weight on the heel while walking. Either over the counter arch supports or optionally prescribed custom-fitted arch supports are available as well.

To know more about sports injuries affecting the foot or if you need treatment book an appointment at CuraFoot Clinics today.