Achilles Tendon Pain

Posts Tagged ‘Common’

When making their weekly trek to the grocery store most people don’t really think much about whether or not there purchases fall under the heading of uric acid food. Even those who struggle with the gout, or gouty arthritis for those sticklers for detail, don’t really think much about it. They don’t stand there and say “My big toe really hurt during that last bout with gout, and I better check the label to make sure that no extra legumes are in any of my purchases”. One of the surprising things about uric acid food is that some items considered to be the most healthy overall are extremely high in uric acid producing purines. But before we get down to the list of high uric acid food list let’s talk a little about gout itself.

Gout is a form of arthritis that strikes without warning, occurs in commonly in the big toe, and affects approximately 2.5 million Americans annually. It is characterized by high levels of blood uric acid and crystals in the joints. These jagged crystals are extremely painful and irritate the joint as well as the surrounding tissue. While the big toe is often the target of the first attack, gouty arthritis can and does occur in the knee, wrist, instep, and Achilles tendon, with the initial attack resolving on its own in a few days. If preventative measured aren’t taken attacks may become more intense and occur more often, leading to disability in some cases.

Controlling the consumption of high uric acid food has long been the mainstay of dietary therapy. The list of tasty and nutritional delights falling under the heading of uric acid food is quite long. Nevertheless, here is a list of  some of the most troublesome culprits: organ meats particularly liver, shellfish, brewer’s yeast, baker’s yeast, sweetbreads, meat gravies, mackerel, sardines, herring, anchovies, dried legumes, spinach, asparagus, duck, and mushrooms.

If you have a momentary lapse in judgment and order appetizers consisting of oysters on the half shell with a main course of liver and onions topped with gravy, mushrooms and spinach your best defense is to make sure you drink a few extra glasses of water in an attempt to flush and dilute uric acid before it has a chance to cause mischief.   

In summary, while avoiding recurrent attacks may be difficult, there are three steps that can be implemented at home to reduce your chances of having a gout attack. First, reduce the intake of uric acid food selections such as shellfish and organ meats; second, drink plenty of fresh water (6 eight ounce glasses a day); and last but not least implement an alternative gout remedy containing the natural ingredients turmeric and milk thistle. By implementing these three steps you will have made great strides on the path to reducing elevated uric acid levels and avoiding future attacks.

I’m 15 years old. In the past 2-3 years, I’ve been diagnosed with (left) Achilles tendonitis, (left) tendonitis in my knee, and tendonitis in my right wrist and elbow.

I’ve gone to physical therapy for most of the injuries, have taken regular courses of anti-inflammatory medication and ice on a regular basis, with little improvement.

Is there a particular reason that I would end up with tendonitis in so many parts of my body…? Is there a condition that causes more general proneness? If so, what can I do?

Thanks!

The elbow is the region surrounding the elbow-joint and it is in the middle of the arm. Elbows are joints just like knees and their function is to rotate, flex and support the body weight when needed. Excessive pressure, continuous action and aging can hurt the elbows and knees. When too much strain is put on them or when they are leaned upon, they will hurt. Most common cases of elbow pain are golfer elbow, tennis elbow and bursitis.

Golfer’s Elbow

If the pain radiates from different area of the elbow and it is felt on and around the bony area extending through the flexor muscle below the arm, it is called golfer’s elbow and it is little similar to tennis elbow.

Force exerted on the flexor muscles during a golf swing pulls the tendons. When the wrist is flexed or the hand is made to grip, the muscles are pulled against the tendons. Excessive use of those muscles from continuous golf or tennis swings results in pain and inflammation around the elbow joint.

Tennis Elbow

If pain is felt and it starts from the outer side of the upper forearm just under the bend of the elbow radiating down towards the wrist, this means that the person is suffering from tennis elbow. This pain is mostly felt bending or lifting the arm when even grasping light objects like a tea cup.

This name has been given because playing tennis often results to this kind of elbow pain. This pain is not limited only to tennis players. The sport requires continuous rotation and flexing of the arm from shoulder to wrist. These movements can cause little tears in parts of the muscle and tendon. When the first tear has healed, it often tears again and continuous tearing results in the bleeding of the muscle. Rough tissue and calcium deposits are formed and a protein named collagen leaks out from around the injured areas causing inflammation. The pressure of the swelling cuts off the flow of the blood pinching the radial nerve which is one of the main nerves that controls the muscles in the hand and arm.

There is difficulty extending the forearm fully because of the inflamed ligaments, muscles and tendons. This inflammation can continue typically for 6 to 12 weeks. Although tendons do not receive the same amount of blood and oxygen that muscles do but they heal more slowly. Due to this slow healing process, the pain can last for as less as 3 weeks and can continue for several years.

Tennis elbow can be a type of tendonitis that is mostly the case. If the bones and muscles of the elbow joint are also involved, it is called epicondylitis. Although swelling in never a symptom of tennis elbow but if there is swelling, other possible conditions have to be checked like infection, arthritis, tumor or gout.

Bursitis

If pain is felt directly on the back of the elbow joint rather than below the outside of the arm, then this is the sign of bursitis. This is caused by the inflammation of lubricating sacs in the joint. Constant rubbing of the tendon over the bone along with high amounts of repetitive shoulder, arm, hip, knee and ankle causes this pain.

Treatments for Elbow Pain

One can have a quick relief by doing the following like; giving the arm a rest till the pain disappears and then massaging the area for relieving the tension and stress in the muscles. Do exercise to strengthen the area for preventing any further injury. If it has to be remembered what was being done, that caused the injury, one must not forget to warm up for at least ten minutes with gentle stretching before starting any activity. Frequent breaks must not be forgotten.

Assortment of treatments for elbow pain is offered in conventional medicines. They range from drug injections to surgery but the pain will never completely finish unless one stops stressing the joint. The muscles and tendons can get damaged and the pain can further worsen without adequate rest.

Athletes put their bodies (and their feet and legs in particular) under a lot of stress.  Even among high school athletes, competition is fierce and so it’s no surprise that so many young people wind up in the hospital with serious foot, ankle and leg injuries.  Below you can find descriptions of 6 of the most common injuries among young athletes.  

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Tearing the ACL is one of the most dreaded injuries in athletics and can often put an athlete on the sidelines for the season.  Torn ACL’s are particularly common among women (thanks to the structure of women’s hips).  They usually occur when an athlete changes direction or stops suddenly – any motion where the body twists but the feet stay planted.  Ouch!  Someone who tears her ACL will most likely need surgery and will be on crutches for quite some time.

Knee Pain.  Knee pain is very common among athletes (especially runners) and can be traced to various causes including overtraining, wearing unsupportive footwear and running on hard surfaces.  Sometimes knee pain is caused by a condition known as Iliotibial (IT) Band Friction Syndrome.  The knee pain that results from this syndrome will be felt on the outside of the knee or lower thigh.  

Plantar Fasciitis.  Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (the connective band of tissue that runs across the arch from the heel to the toe) becomes inflamed.  This results in pain that is usually experienced on the bottom of the heel.  The pain tends to occur after resting the foot and is particularly noticeable during the first steps of the morning.  Heel spurs are often associated with this condition.  When it comes to treating plantar fasciitis, resting the feet and wearing supportive footwear are particularly important.  

Shin Splints.  Shins splints are a common athletic injury associated with overworking the legs.  They occur when the tissues surrounding the tibia become inflamed.  

Tendonitis.  Tendonitis, like shin splints, is a common athletic injury that occurs when an athlete overdoes it.  People who suffer from tendonitis are experiencing pain caused by inflammation of the tendons in their feet, ankles and lower legs.  

Stress Fracture. Stress fractures tend to be hairline fractures that result in the lower legs from overuse, or from wearing improper athletic shoes and working out on hard surfaces.

Sports has always been a top-drawer not only for its excitement but also for its numerous health benefits.  These sports activities, however, can also bring risks to one’s health.  Those who engage in contact sports like basketball, football, and the martial arts are usually at high risk of sustaining injuries.  These injuries are usually found on the knees, legs, ankles, and feet — all of which support the entire weight of the athlete’s body.  

Acute damage or repetitive stress associated with sports activities may affect the bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Acute sports injuries can be treated with first aid remedies and over the counter muscle relaxants. Chronic injuries, on the other hand, may require medical assistance. Understanding these injuries is essential in preventing its development and avoiding any hindrances to one’s health.

Here are the five most common sports injuries and how to prevent them:

1.Ankle Sprains and Strains
Sprain is the stretching or tearing of the ligaments while strain is the stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Ankle sprains or strains may occur because of poor technique, uneven terrain, and wearing inaapropriate footwear.  Running on smooth and even terrain, running in proper form, and wearing the right foot wear is essential in preventing injury. Wearing orthotic gear may add more stability and balance and prevent re-injury.

2.Shoulder Injury
The shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in the body. Because of its flexibility, the shoulder is essential in many sports activities. Individuals who engage in sports that involve frequent swinging of arms like swimming or basketball are at high risk of developing this injury. Pitchers, tennis players, weightlifters are some of the individuals who may be prone to shoulder injuries.

3.Elbow pain
Lateral epicondylitis also called tennis elbow pain and is one form of overuse injury. It is an inflammation of several structures of the elbow which includes the muscles, tendons, ligaments and many more. People that engage in activities with strenuous or repetitive forearm movement forearm movement have heightened risk of developing this injury. Occupations that include mechanics or carpentry may also pose risks for certain individuals.

4.Knee Pain
Sports related knee pain may be a result of ruptured ligament or torn muscles. Because it is the largest joint in the body, it is one of the most easily damaged joint. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common problem the involves the knee. Medical studies show that many ACL injuries are caused by sports activities that require frequent change in direction, twisting, slowing down when running, or landing from a jump. Individuals who play football, soccer, wrestling, and rugby are prone to this kind of injury. Proper execution of techniques, wearing orthotics, and training in moderation may help prevent the development of this condition.

5.Lower back pain
Many backaches are caused by strains or sprains in the muscles or ligaments. These injuries often occur because of heavy lifting or twisting. Back spasms caused by disk, joint, or muscle injuries may also lead to the development of excruciating pain. In addition to these factors, improper posture, fatigue, and improper alignment may also lead to the development of back pain.

These five common injuries can be prevented by engaging in proper training which includes warm ups, stretches, and cool downs. Warming up and stretching are essential in preparing the body for strenuous activity that can be experienced in training. Cooling down, on the other hand, is essential in reducing the temperature of the muscles and reduce muscle injury, stiffness, and soreness. Using orthotics is also essential in preventing sports injuries. Engaging in proper exercise routines and executing exercise techniques are essential to prevent injuries.  Individuals who want to engage in physical exercise and other strenuous activities should seek the approval of doctors to achieve health goals and avoid fitness obstacles.

You may have problems with your ankles and feet that require a Podiatrist. This is usually the case when your aches and pains go beyond what’s considered normal. For instance, it’s normal to have sore feet after standing on them all day. But if your feet hurt so bad until you can’t stand on them, then you need help. If you live in Decatur, Georgia you can get help for your feet and ankles from a local Decatur Podiatrist.

Here are some of the more common problems a Podiatrist in Decatur can help you solve:

1. A disappearing arch. If your foot suddenly goes flat, it could be because of a ruptured tendon. Some people have naturally flat feet, but most people have feet that are slight arched. If you notice your formerly arched foot is now flatter than before, you should seek help. A tendon problem can lead to more serious complications down the road.

2. Pain that gets worse when you walk. Foot problems, such as Achilles tendonitis cause a great deal of pain when you walk. The pain is at its most intense after first walking in the morning or when getting up after sitting for an extended period of time. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is what leads to Achilles tendonitis, and it can be a sign of more harmful problems to come.

3. Change in color. Both of your feet should be the same color. So if you notice that one or both of your feet have changed color, you should see a Podiatrist. If your foot becomes a shade or two darker than normal, you may have a problem with circulation. It may also feel harder than normal to the touch. Redness can also indicate gout or an infection.

4. Numbness. Many diabetics experience numbness or a tingling sensation in their feet. This is called Neuropathy, and it’s a form of nerve damage. Some Podiatrists specialize in diabetic treatment, so if you’re a diabetic experiencing numbness in your feet, seek help as soon as possible.

This is only a small sampling of the problems that can occur with your feet. A good Decatur Podiatrist will be able to help you with all of the problems listed above. In fact, a good Podiatrist should be able to help you with any problem associated with your feet. Make sure to thoroughly research any doctor you plan to visit.

Your Next Step

Click the links below to get more information about Podiatrists in Decatur, Georgia. Having a Decatur Podiatrist that is convenient to your home or workplace is important to both you and the health of your feet.

The more common injuries seen in cycling are either overuse problems due to the poor set up of bike to cyclist, or because the training is one dimensional and the athlete does not incorporate other elements necessary for developing their all round fitness.

Common Injuries:
Most of the conditions listed below are related to overuse/overtraining. An overall remedial approach would be to decrease the amount and type of training.
Other changes need to include a stretching regime and an increase in rest days. As noted previously, the bikes set up needs to be taken into account as well.

Ulnar Neuropathy:
Or hand numbness, this is related to pressure on the handlebars for extended periods of time.
Adjustments to the cyclists position is essential, this will enable the pressure
to be taken off of the area and redistribute the weight of the body appropriately.

Overtraining:
Athletes sometimes in order to reach a goal forget to rest and allow the body to have enough time to build on the effects of the training. Too much
of something is not necessarily a good thing, and in this case, less is
best.
Some of the signs and symptoms of overtraining are: tiredness, pain in muscles and joints, a drop in performance despite the amount of training, increased incidence of injuries, insomnia, headaches, moodiness, irritability, depression, loss of enthusiasm for the sport, decreased appetite, decreased immunity seen by an increase in
colds.

Piriformis Syndrome:
This is related to overtraining, in particular working the area of the gluts. Piriformis is an external hip rotator, and if overstressed can build in size to the point of putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain or numbness down the leg or in the hip.
Other factors that need to be taken into consideration are postural and biomechanical behaviours as well as the set up of the bike.

Knee Pain:
This can be difficult to diagnose unless you have an appropriate level of
knowledge and training.
It can range from ligament problems (ACL, PCL, LCL, MCL), meniscus tears, to conditions such as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Chondromalacia.
Accurate diagnosis is key, immediate treatment if acute is to apply R.I.C.E.

Achilles Tendinitis:
It is a chronic overuse of the tendon which crosses the posterior portion of the ankle joint.
Further recommendations are to stop speed and hill training, and to include remedial massage techniques to increase length and decrease tension
of the tendon.

Bike Set Up:
Usually speed and efficiency is the prime reason for the setup of the athletes bike, it is quite different from the more casual rider, who is not entering a triathalon or duathalon. The basis for their set up is more likely geared towards comfort. In both cases it is vitally important that the set up is appropriate and does not unduly stress areas of the body.

Whether you are just starting out or have been cycling for years, the right set up for your body type and particular discipline is essential to remaining injury free.
There are a vast range of bikes such a mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrids.
The appropriate position is based on the body parts that make contact with the bike. The three points that determine this are the hands, feet and seat. The relative position of each of these will affect the efficiency and comfort of the bike.

There are several variables that will determine the position of each of these; the crank length, distance from crank centre or bottom bracket to the saddle, saddle angle, seat tube angle and saddle offset, distance from saddle to handlebar, relative height of saddle and handlebar, handlebar width and handlebar drop on road style handlebars.
Even if your client has been cycling for years, or competes at a semi professional level, they may never have had their set up evaluated and not realise how much more comfortable and efficient their ride could be. The fitting is best left to professional bike fitting services unless the person has the relevant knowledge.
If they are running into problems, this is definitely one area that should be assessed.

Mal tracking or Patellofemoral Syndrome (Anterior knee pain)
What is it?
Pain and/or stiffness in the front of the knee, it may feel as though the kneecap is clicking or grinding.
When do you get the pain?
Comes on with running, often worse on hills, especially downhill and on stairs.
What is happening?
Knee cap is not moving smoothly in the groove on the front of the knee, causinginflammation and pain.
Why is it happening?
Poor lower limb alignment (hip, knee and foot); tight quadriceps; decreased musclecontrol on landing and single leg stance.
What can I do?
Focus on correcting alignment, using core and glutes and ensuring balance in yourquadriceps muscle to ensure correct knee cap tracking.
Glute med at wall with squat:
▪ To work the right side, stand side on to a wall on the right leg with the left knee resting onthe wall, as shown
▪ Gently contract the buttock muscle on the right leg and press into the wall with the left knee.nd rdYour pelvis should be level with your knee in line with 2 /3 toes.
▪ Perform a small knee bend ensuring your knee stays in line with your 2nd/3rd toes
▪ Repeat 5 – 8 times then rest and repeat x3 sets each side
▪ This should be felt in the buttock muscle, if not stop the exercise.

ITB Friction Syndrome
What is it?
Sharp pain and stiffness starts at the side of the knee and goes into the knee.
When do you get the pain?
Comes on after a few minutes of running, may cause a cramping and givingway feeling in your knee. Pain on stairs, especially following a run.
What is happening?
The iliotibial band (ITB) that runs down the outside of the thigh becomes tight and rubson the outside of the knee causing inflammation and pain.
Why is it happening?
Poor lower limb alignment (hip, knee and foot); poor foot control (excessivepronation); poor gluteal control; decreased muscle control on landing and single leg stance.
What can I do?
Release ITB, correct lower limb alignment, recruit glutes, check footwear.
ITB Release:
▪ Side lie on the roller as shown
▪ Roll along the outer thigh to release any tightness (from the hip to the knee).
▪ When you find a tight/painful spot, maintain the pressure for 30-60 seconds
▪ Do not hold your breath. Continue the release for several minutes
As painful as this is on your ITB, the proof is in the pain relief after.

Achilles Tendonitis
What is it?
Pain in your lower calf and heel region, caused by increased loading and tissue breakdown in theAchilles tendon.
When do you get the pain?
First thing in the morning when you stand up and get moving. At the start of arun and pain can get worse throughout the run. It’s painful to touch the tendon.
What is happening?
The tendon becomes swollen and thickened.
Why is it happening?
Increased loading on the tendon. Possible causes are increased mileage, inadequaterecovery time, poor footwear, poor foot control and carrying excess bodyweight.
What can I do?
Make sure you have the correct footwear and foot control when running. Do not stretch thecalf; An eccentric calf loading program can help with modified stretches later.
Eccentric calf loading:
▪ Stand with correct posture and alignment
▪ Balance with most of your weight on the GOOD leg and rise up onto the ball ofthe foot – shift the weight across to the AFFECTED leg and control the heeldown. Shift the weight back to the good leg to rise back up and continue this cycle
▪ Repeat 15 times; 3 sets

Plantarfascitis
What is it?
The plantarfascia is a band that runs across the sole of your foot and causes pain in the arch andsometimes the bottom of your heel.
When do you get the pain?
Usually worst first thing in the morning and after prolonged sitting. During andfollowing a run it can be very tender.
What is happening?
The plantarfascia is excessively overloaded causing the tissue to becomeoverstretched, which breaks down giving pain.
Why is it happening?
Poor foot control, excessive pronation, tight calf muscles, inappropriate footwear.
What can I do?
Release and stretch the calf muscles; strengthen the small muscles in your feet to help control your foot position; ensure you have the correct shoes.
Lifting the foot arches in standing:
▪ Standing with correct posture and alignment
▪ Think of four even points on each foot with even weight through each point
▪ Tighten through the arch (bottom) of your foot (without squeezing your toes) to lift thearch of your foot
▪ You should maintain even weight on the four points of your foot
▪ Hold for 6 – 10 seconds
▪ Repeat x5

Neck and Shoulder strain
What is it?
Tension develops in the muscles around the upper shoulders and neck, sometimes causing pain,tingling and pins and needles into the arms and hands.
When do you get the pain?
When the body starts to fatigue and your effort levels increase.
What is happening?
Your upper back starts to slouch forward, pushing your head forward and causing yourshoulders to round. The chin poking out increases tension on the nerves in your arms giving you pins and needles and your breathing is restricted by the slouching.
Why is it happening?
When you slouch your lung capacity is restricted. It also becomes hard work to holdyour head up and your running style becomes very inefficient, so your body is wasting energy.
What can I do?
Focus on your posture when running; maintain good movement in your upper back; ensure a good arm swing, keeping your arms straight, not crossing over your body.
Thoracic towel stretch:
▪ Fold a towel in half lengthways, then roll it up into a cylinder.
▪ Place the towel as shown and lie with the towel between theshoulder blades, and rest for up to 10 minutes. Focus onrelaxed breathing in this position

Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
What is it?
Pain along the front of the shin bone and in the surrounding muscles caused by inflammation.May lead to a stress fracture or compartment syndrome.
When do you get the pain?
When running often just prior to or as your foot strikes the ground.
What is happening?
Increased loading on the muscles that control your foot and ankle movements, causinginflammation near the shin bone.
Why is it happening?
A sudden increase in loading and stress; excessive pronation of the feet; inappropriate footwear; uncontrolled landing.
What can I do?
Ensure you have correct footwear; follow a graduated training program; stretch your calfmuscles; correct lower limb alignment.
Single leg standing balance:
▪ Gently lift the arches of the feet.
▪ Draw the sitting bones together to activate the glutes and align the lower limbs.
▪ Shift your weight across to balance on the one leg, keeping correct posture, thend rdpelvis level and knee in line with 2 /3 toes.
▪ Aim to hold for 30 seconds at least
▪ Progressions: hold your balance with the eyes closed, or while looking aroundthe room so you don’t the eyes fix on one point

What is Sever’s disease?

Sever’s disease occurs in children when the growing part of the heel is injured. This growing part is called the growth plate. The foot is one of the first body parts to grow to full size. This usually occurs in early puberty. During this time, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons. As a result, muscles and tendons become tight. The heel area is less flexible. During weight-bearing activity (activity performed while standing), the tight heel tendons may put too much pressure at the back of the heel (where the Achilles tendon attaches). This can injure the heel.

When is my child most at risk for Sever’s disease?

Your child is most at risk for this condition when he or she is in the early part of the growth spurt in early puberty. Sever’s disease is most common in physically active girls 8 to 10 years old and in physically active boys 10 to 12 years old. Children who do any running or jumping activity may be affected. Sever’s disease rarely occurs in older teenagers because the back of the heel has finished growing by the age of 15.

How do I know if my child’s heel pain is caused by Sever’s disease?

In Sever’s disease, heel pain can be in one or both heels. It usually starts after a child begins a new sports season or a new sport. Your child may walk with a limp. The pain may increase when he or she stands on tiptoe. Your child’s heel may hurt if you squeeze both sides toward the very back. This is called the squeeze test. Your doctor may also find that your child’s heel tendons have become tight.

How is Sever’s disease treated?

The first step to treat Sever’s disease is to have your child cut down or stop any activity that causes heel pain. Apply ice to the injured heel for 25 minutes 3 times a day. If your child has a high arch, flat feet or bowed legs, your doctor may recommend orthotic arch supports, arch supports or heel cups. Visit TheInsoleStore.com for clinically designed, doctor recommended Arch Angels Childrens Comfort Insoles and Spenco Polysorb Kids Premium Insoles that can prevent or relieve Sever’s disease symptoms. If your child has severe heel pain, medicines such as acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (some brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) may help.

Can Sever’s disease be prevented?

Sever’s disease may be prevented by maintaining good flexibility while your child is growing. Again, ask your doctor for advice or for a regime of stretching exercises. If possible, your child should avoid excessive running on hard surfaces.

From tennis and soccer to football and running, organized and individual sports activities are key to any healthy lifestyle. But they can also result in common sports injuries that require attention, either at home or at the doctor, to heal properly.

Abrasions are perhaps some of the most common sports injuries and can result from a fall on a hard surface.

As an athlete slides or falls on the ground, the friction from the fall causes layers of skin to rub off. For cyclists, these abrasions are often referred to as “road rash” and are caused by a bike crash. While some abrasions can be severe and painful, most abrasions are scrapes that do not extend into the deeper layer of the skin (dermis) or cause a great amount of bleeding. However, these abrasions can cause a great deal of pain because of the exposed nerve endings.

The most standard treatment of abrasions include cleaning the area with mild soap and water or an antiseptic wash such as hydrogen peroxide, and then covering the affected area with antibiotic ointment and a dry dressing. Some medical findings suggest that the use of hydrogen peroxide can interfere with the healing process and cause harm to the skin tissue.

Severe abrasions should be seen and cleaned by a doctor. However, you can do some things to aide in the healing of the affected area. It’s important to keep the injured area clean and remove and dirt or debris. Consider using sodium chloride or Shur-Clens in a syringe to cleanse the area. A clean gauze can be used to gently scrub the area. Products such as Second Skin or Bioclusive are ideal for covering a severe abrasion wound. Dressings should be changed every few days to prevent infection. Keeping the area moist helps to promote healing, improve tissue formation and protect from infection.

Any deep lacerations may require stitches to heal properly. Cuts that continue to bleed after 15 minutes of direct pressure or extend deep into the skin and have edges that fall apart may also require stitches. If you are unsure if you need stitches, you should see a physician immediately.

The largest and most vulnerable tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon joins the calf and soleus muscles of the lower leg to the heel of the foot. While tendons are strong, they are not very flexible and therefore are more likely to become inflamed or tear and rupture. An Achilles tendon rupture can happen suddenly and may be linked to weak calf muscles. Muscles that are weak and fatigued can be tighten and shorten, which increases the stress on the Achilles tendon, resulting in a rupture. A classic sign of Achilles tendon rupture is the feeling of being hit in that area and often a “pop” sound is heard. While there may be little pain, the person will be unable to lift up onto his toes.

Ruptured Achilles tendons may require surgery and a couple of months in a cast. Partial tears can sometimes be treated with surgery followed by wearing a cast. During the healing process, the tendon will shorten so a heel lift is often required for six months or more after the cast comes off. Physical therapy will help to regain flexibility and strength as soon as the cast comes off.

An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury occurs when an athlete changes direction rapidly, twisting without moving his or her feet, slows down abruptly, or misses a landing from a jump. The ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) cross each other around the knee, providing stability. Typically, injuries to the ACL are a sprain. The ligament is torn or stretched when an athlete makes a sudden twisting motion while the feet remain planted. These sorts of injuries are often seen in football or soccer. While the cause is not completely understood, women are more likely to suffer an ACL tear than men.

ACL tears that are incomplete are treated conservatively to allow the body to heal the injury on its own. Ice, rest, compression, and elevation are effective immediate treatments. Physical therapy is used to build muscle strength. For complete tears of the ACL, surgery is usually required.