Commonly Treated Conditions
Shin Splints
Description – a series of conditions causing pain along the tibia (shin bone) anywhere between the knee and the ankle. Pain may result from muscle overuse, stress fractures or compartment syndrome.
Symptoms
- pain felt along the inner side of the shin during onset of physical activity
- pain recedes as physical activity continues
- pain returns after physical activity has stopped
- tenderness and swelling at inflamed site
Stress Fractures
Description – a small crack in a bone. Most stress fractures occur in the weight baring bones of the foot or lower leg as a result of overuse.
Symptoms
- pain develops gradually
- pain increases with weight baring activity
- pain diminishes with rest
- may be swelling on top of foot or outside ankle
- site of fracture may be tender to touch
Achilles Tendonitis
Description – inflammation of the Achilles tendon, a band of tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone.
Symptoms
- mild ache at the back on your leg above your heel after exercise more severe pain during running and stair climbing may have swelling or a bump on the tendon.
Morton’s Neuroma
Description – A swollen inflamed nerve that is being compressed between the bones of the ball of the foot (usually in the 2nd or 3rd spacing from the base of the big toe).
Symptoms
- sharp pain on the bottom of the fore-foot
- pain and numbness can radiate to nearby toes
- pain increases during walking or when the ball of the foot is compressed
Plantar Fasciitis
Description – Inflammation and swelling of the plantar fascia ligament that supports the arch of your foot. This ligament attaches to the heel bone then splits into several thinner bands as it reaches towards the toes.
Symptoms
- pain in the arch of the foot or heel
- pain is often worse first thing in the morning or after rest
Commonly Treated Conditions in Children
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease
Description – Inflammation caused by the patella (knee) tendon pulling away from the tibia (shin) due to overuse or a period of rapid growth. With repeated trauma, new bone grows back which may cause a bony lump to form on the top of the tibia. This condition usually affects boys between the ages of 10-15 who do lots of running or jumping.
Symptoms
- pain at the tibial tuberosity (bony part at the top of the shin) just below the knee
- swelling and inflammation at the site
- pain is greater during and after exercise
Severs Disease
Description – Pain around the growth plate at the back of the calcaneus (heel bone) where the achilles tendon attaches. It is most prominent in active children between the ages of 9-14.
Symptoms
- pain felt at the back and the sides of the heel bone
- pain subsides when the child is inactive
- pain is aggravated by repetitious actions such as running and jumping
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Description – Inflammation of the of the patella femoral joint (the area where the knee cap meets the thigh bone). The kneecap is not properly centered within the groove of the thighbone causing irritation of the surrounding area.
Symptoms
- pain on the sides of the kneecap
- discomfort under the patella
- a grinding feeling in the knee joint
- Running, squatting and climbing stairs, aggravates pain