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What does compression have to do with tendonitis?

When you are suffering from pain that is caused by inflamed tendons, it can seem like it takes forever to heal. Tendonitis can prevent us from doing many of the things that we usually take for granted in our daily lives.

In our clinic we like to encourage our clients to continue their daily activities. However, in some cases these activities or exercises may be preventing a full recovery. How does one know which movements are harmful or not?

This is a great video that clearly explains why some movements are worse than others for injured tendons. Our rehab experts at Physiotherapy Active Rehab have an extensive knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics. This allows us to assess your unique situation and make a plan for your optimal  recovery. If you have tendonitis and need a professional assessment, please give us a call.

 

Tendon Compression and Pain from RunningReform on Vimeo.

 

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How do I keep in shape while I’m injured?

So you’ve found yourself injured and not able to participate in your favourite sport or activity. This can be extremely upsetting when you have worked so hard to get into shape and maintain a level of fitness you are proud of. So what can you do to stay in the best possible shape while suffering from pain associated with condtions like tendonitis, shin splints, patellofemoral syndrome and plantar fasciitis?

Follow this link to a helpful article by Tom Goom, a well known UK physiotherapist who specializes in running injuries:

Cross Training During Injury

Following these helpful guidelines can mean a quicker and safer return to the sport you love. For help with recovery from your injury, please give us a call. We would be glad to help.

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The Most Common Foot Injuries From Running a Marathon

Many podiatrists (foot specialists) take the opportunity to volunteer in the medical tent after a local marathon. After the race, participants are filtered into the post-race area where they eat to replenish nutrients, drink to re-hydrate, and have the option of stopping in the medical or podiatry tents for any assistance they may require. Hundreds of people come in looking for medical help, but surprisingly, the majority of the complaints consisted of the same three concerns. The following medical problems are what I would consider to be the most common foot injuries based on my experience in the marathon medical tents:

  1. Blisters. By far the most common problem that people face when running is blisters. You can wear moisture wicking socks, buy the perfect shoes, and try and keep you feet as dry as possible, but sometimes it is just impossible to prevent blisters from developing. One thing that many people do not realize is that blisters come in different forms depending on what the blister is made of, or what is inside the blister. Most commonly, blisters are either filled with a clear fluid or blood. Runners can be apprehensive or concerned when looking down at their feet at the end of a race and seeing blood, not realizing that it may have been a blood blister that popped while running.Blisters come in all shapes, sizes and locations.
  2. Subungual Hematoma. This is a medical term for blood under the nail. It commonly occurs in runners from repeated pounding of their nail against the front of their shoe. It also commonly occurs when patients have a little piece of bone that protrudes up into their nail bed that irritates the nail when pressure is applied.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis. This is a very common condition that occurs in runners and non-runners alike. Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This may be a chronic condition, so runners will usually have this throughout their training. It can become extremely painful after a race. If you get a flare-up of this after a race, do not hesitate to stop in a podiatry tent to have your foot taped and/or iced.

 

Although there are many ailments that people face from running, the most common injuries that are seen are blisters, subungual hematomas, and plantar fasciitis. The important thing to remember is that these conditions are common injuries that can be alleviated and managed by medical attention. Don’t hesitate to stop in a podiatry tent after a race or to visit a local podiatrist if your aliments get worse or if you have any questions.

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Treatment of Lower Limb Sports Injuries

The lower limb (or lower leg) includes the ankle and foot joints, which are frequently injured during sports that require running or jumping. Besides physiotherapy, there are other, complementary, ways to address the acute pain that results from an injury to any of these joints and return to your sport.

Sport podiatrists are health practitioners who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot and ankle. The field of sport podiatry involves utilizing methods that reduce the risk of lower limb injuries. It encompasses orthotic insoles, exercise, the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and proper footwear to restore correct foot biomechanics.

Several causes of foot/ankle pain include, but are not limited, to:

  • Bio-mechanical abnormalities (i.e., foot alignment)
  • Worn or ill-fitting footwear
  • Increased training duration and/or frequency
  • Increased training intensity

Potential treatments:

Try orthotics – these are shoe inserts that reduce biomechanical abnormalities while you are walking or running. Benefits of orthotics include pain reduction, increased support, biomechanical correction, accelerated healing (due to reduced pressure to the affected joint), and injury prevention.

You should also discuss modifying your training or exercise program with your podiatrist, physiotherapist, and/or physician in order to reduce stress on the injured area.

 

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