Tennis Injuries: Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms and Treatment

Plantar fasciitis symptoms often present themselves as a result of the repetitive motions required in tennis, as well as the unavoidable quick stops and starts when on the court. It manifests itself as pain in the bottom of the foot, anywhere from the heel to the toes. Because of the pounding motion all too common during a match, the foot can quickly become inflamed, leading to pain.

Whether you are an avid player, or just head out for a friendly match every once and a while, check out this video from Health Choices First. In it, physiotherapist Carl Peterson discusses plantar fasciitis and its symptoms: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/tennis/general-content/tennis-plantar-fasciitis.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis can include release work to work out the inflammation and to relieve tension in the foot. Warm up exercises to prep your body that are specific to tennis can also play a big part in keeping plantar fasciitis symptoms at bay.

A physiotherapist can help you find relief through a variety of different treatment methods, as well as assessing to see if orthotics to help support your arch would be beneficial.

For more about plantar fasciitis symptoms and treatment please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to speak with a physiotherapist. Call 416-800-0800.

Treat Your Sports Injury Without Surgery: Sonocur Shockwave Therapy

For many athletes suffering from a sports related injury or pain due to sports, their game can become increasingly taxing. Playing through pain in an effort to avoid dealing with it may lead to serious complications in the future, while stopping altogether may lead to both physical and mental outcomes that you want to avoid.

As with any sports related injury, seeking medical assistance is the first thing that you should do. If you suffer an injury on the field or court, ignoring it can worsen things. Attending a sports medicine clinic, by contrast, can be a stepping stone to healing. Sometimes surgery is unavoidable, but if a physician tells you that surgery is not the only option, seek out alternatives. One option might be sonocur shockwave therapy.

What is sonocur shockwave therapy and how does it work? Sonocur shockwave therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment which involves the application of acoustic shockwaves into the affected bone or soft tissue. The shockwaves stimulate a metabolic reaction in the tissue, leading to the breakdown of scarring. This controlled reinjuring of the area on a cellular level allows for a regeneration of blood vessels and bone cells, which leads to faster healing.

What types of injuries does sonocur shockwave therapy treat? There are a number of sports related injuries and aches and pains that benefit from this treatment, including:

•           Tendonitis (rotator cuff, bicep, patellar, quadriceps, Achilles)
•           Epicondylitis (tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow)
•          Iliotibial band syndrome (runner’s knee)
•           Plantar fasciitis

Additional benefits of sonocur shockwave therapy include immediate return to the game – there is no downtime following treatment to recover. Also, sonocur shockwave therapy does not cause tendon damage so your treatment will not lead to further issues in the future. There is also no permanent scarring from shockwave therapy.

If you have sports related aches and pains, or have suffered a sports related injury that makes participating challenging, it might be time to consider an alternative form of treatment such as sonocur shockwave therapy. Don’t force yourself to play through the pain or stay benched. Visit a sports injury clinic today and find out if shockwave therapy is the answer for you.

For more information about sonocur shockwave therapy contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Keep That Spring in Your Step: How to Avoid Common Running Injuries

Anyone who runs on a regular basis, whether to keep fit or relieve stress, knows that staying injury free is crucial in order to continue your routine.  Most runners are aware of the risks that can accompany running, but with running season in full swing it's a great time to remind you of some of the causes of the most common running injuries. Knowledge is power and knowing the causes of common running injuries will help you to avoid them.

Top 5 common running injuries:

1.      Runner’s knee - a very common running injury, usually attributed to overuse. Over time, with regular activity, the cartilage in the kneecap begins to wear down, causing considerable pain.

2.      Plantar fasciitis - an inflammation of the tissues in the bottom of the foot that connect the heel with the toes. There are a number of different causes, but increased activity or strain on the foot muscles are very common causes for runners.

3.      Shin splints - pain in the front inside of the shin bone. These are often the result of a change in your running routine where you've denied your body the proper prep. Even subtle changes like increasing the distance of your run or the number of days that you run can lead to shin splints.

4.      Achilles tendinitis - inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Symptoms include pain and stiffness, and the development of the condition is often a result of repetitive stress on the tendon due to changes in your routine.

5.      Ankle sprains - caused by the stretching or tearing of the muscles around the ankle. Injuries, such as twisting or falling on the ankle, can cause these sprains.

How can you avoid these, and other common running injuries? One of the best ways to avoid an injury, especially a sports related one, is to educate yourself. What better way to do this than by attending a running injury clinic? A running injury clinic hosted by a sports medicine clinic can give you the right tools to help you plan your running routine.  One of the greatest assets to a session like this involves helping you understand how to better avoid common running injuries.

Running injury clinic tips:

-         Plan: don’t just head out there every day and run a different track and expect your body to react well. Make sure that you set a plan for yourself where changes in routine are given appropriate periods of time to adjust. Planning a session with a trainer for an assessment is also a smart idea.

-         Equip:  those decade old running shoes are probably not going to offer the support you need to keep common running injuries at bay, so attend a running clinic to learn what types of footwear will best suit your individual needs.

-         Stretch: prepping your body before any run is critical to getting it primed. A running injury clinic can help you discover the pre and post-run stretches that will help you avoid the pain of a running injury.

-         Listen: never ignore your body. If it is in pain, don’t ignore it – chances are pain isn’t going to just go away, and could get worse. There are many different treatment options available to treat running injuries, so attend a sports injury clinic to have running injuries looked at right away.

For more information about how to avoid common running injuries or to find out more about our running injury clinic, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

 

Plantar Fasciitis Keeping You Off Your Feet? Sonocur Shockwave Therapy Could Be The Solution

With spring upon us, it's time to get back outside and enjoy our favourite sport. Be it running, volleyball, soccer, or golf - or all of them - exercising pain-free isn't too much to ask. But what if you suffer from plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the tissues at the bottom of the foot. These tissues connect the heel bone to the toes. It occurs when those tissues are overused (overstretched), causing the muscles to tighten and become quite painful.  This is often impacts the most seasoned long-distance runners. Another cause of plantar fasciitis is sudden weight gain (which puts added pressure on the tissues). The pain is often constant, and can even make the simplest tasks, such as walking, very difficult.

If you think that you may have plantar fasciitis there are plantar fasciitis treatments available, including treatment options that don’t involve invasive surgical procedures. Invasive procedures like surgery to remedy plantar fasciitis can keep you off of your feet for weeks. If you suffer from the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, you don’t have to suffer through it. One really great plantar fasciitis treatment is Sonocur shockwave therapy.

What is shockwave therapy? Sonocur shockwave therapy is a high-tech, non-invasive form of treatment delivering low-energy sound waves to the affected area, helping to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and break down scar tissue. The procedure is pain-free, and does not require any anesthesia – just sit back and relax and let the doctor work his or her magic.

A major benefit to electing shockwave therapy as a plantarfasciitis treatment is the amount of time saved.  Instead of requiring extensive downtime, this treatment, covered over a period of weeks, affords immediate relief, letting you get back out there right away - no recovery time needed!

Sonocur therapy isn’t just for plantar fasciitis since it works on way more than just feet. Sonocur shockwave therapy can also help with these other conditions: jumper’s knee and runner’s knee, tendonitis (rotator cuff, biceps, quadriceps, Achilles), tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Many of these conditions can keep you from the field or the track due to pain caused while trying to partake. Shockwave therapy can get you back out there straight away.

If you are suffering from foot pain, don’t ignore it. Sonocur shockwave therapy is a proven effective plantar fasciitis treatment that will help you get back in the game.

For more information about shockwave therapy, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Plantar Fasciitis Surgery May Be Avoided Through The Use of Custom Foot Orthotics

Did you know that millions of North Americans suffer from a painful foot condition called Plantar Fasciitis? This pain- found on the bottom of the heel - is a figurative pain in the neck, and people of all ages can develop it.

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis can include physical therapy, injections, splinting, shock wave therapy, surgery, and custom foot orthotics. The severity of one’s condition usually guides them towards the best treatment option as will their lifestyle, their comfort level and their personal goals for rehabilitation.

Surgery is the most drastic option and should only be considered once all the others have been exhausted.  Plantar Fasciitis surgery may carry risks that include rupture of the plantar fascia, infection, and/or nerve injury that results in numbness in the region. There are also additional complications that may emerge post-surgery. For instance, if the plantar fascia is released too much during the procedure, the arch of the foot might be reduced. In addition, some people still suffer from symptoms and pain related to Plantar Fasciitis after their surgery is performed. A sports medicine physician will be instrumental in determining the best course of treatment.  As they will be very familiar with Plantar Fasciitis treatment, they can acquaint you with the full range of treatment options outside of surgery.

This type of physician may describe options like anti-inflammatory medications, night splints, cortisone injections and shock wave therapy as examples of commonly used non-surgical options.

One extremely simple method of treating Plantar Fasciitis is to wear custom foot orthotics. Unlike over-the-counter-orthotics, custom foot orthotics are custom designed to fit each of the specific individual’s feet.  This presents many benefits:

1. First, custom foot orthotics stabilize each foot, thanks to strategically built structure, they’re like cradles for your feet! And when the foot is stabilized and returns to its optimal alignment, the abnormal pull on the plantar fascia is relieved and can (finally) begin to heal. As the plantar fascia heals, the pain and inflammation begin to dissipate.  Sounds pretty good eh? Guess what, there’s even more….
2. The support of the arch that a custom foot orthotic offers provides the exact amount of arch support each foot needs. When the arch is supported it creates the opportunity for the plantar fascia healing to begin.  A tired arch is a fast track to Plantar Fascia pain.  A soothed arch is your best friend.
3. Custom foot orthotics will absorb shock to the plantar fascia, cushioning the arch, feet (and heels) and, as a result, your entire body. This significantly reduces weight on the foot and restores the plantar fascia and arch to a healthy and pain free condition.   This requires a cutout at the heel, to soften the orthotic and provide adequate cushioning.  Most off the shelf arch supports are not built like this.

Understandably, many people suffering from Plantar Fasciitis are able to make a complete recovery using custom foot orthotics.

Why procrastinate? If you have any suspicion you may have Plantar Fasciitis, seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms appear may spare you prolonged pain and a limitation of your activity? Sharp pain in the heel, particularly in the morning or after a period of rest, is one of the common symptoms you’d be wise to seek medical attention for.  It is always easier to solve a problem you catch early.  Remember, “A stitch in time saves nine!”

For more information about treatment for Plantar Fasciitis including non-surgical treatments and custom foot orthotics please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca

Kobe Bryant Learns That His Foot Pain was Caused by Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Faciitis: tricky to say and extremely unpleasant to experience!  Pronounced PLAN-tar  fah-cee-EYE-tis, this foot condition specifically refers to the bottom of the foot.  Fascia - Latin for the tough, fibrous outer casting of muscle - becomes irritated and inflamed making it painful to walk.  If caught early Plantar Faciitis is easier to remedy than if you wait until it becomes chronic.  This painful, annoying condition frequently affects athletes, among them Kobe Bryant who learned in 2004 that Plantar Faciitis was the cause of his foot pain.

Kobe Bryant is not alone.   Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and tennis player Pete Sampras were also reported to have suffered from Plantar Fasciitis. In May of 2011, Sports Illustrated reported that Scott Podsednik of the Toronto Blue Jays was working diligently towards a full recovery from his plantar fasciitis.  Though athletes like these have faced treatment for Plantar Faciitis, it’s actually a condition that most frequently plagues runners.

So, why are athletes so susceptible to this kind of foot pain? To answer this question first you must understand what Plantar Fasciitis is. This extremely painful inflammation occurs in the connective tissue (fascia) at the bottom of the foot (plantar).  The Plantar Fascia is a band of connective tissue that begins at the bottom of the heel bone and extends along the bottom of the foot to the toes. This muscle also helps support the arch of the foot, though pain is often first felt in the heel.

Plantar Fasciitis seems to strike most after long periods of putting weight on one’s feet. Athletes are more prone to Plantar Fasciitis because of the stress and tension placed on the Plantar Fascia when running long distances or putting repetitive stress on the heel.  Sports like basketball tend to invite the condition since athletes are constantly jumping and pounding down on the heel, but really, any sport or activity where that part of the foot is being used extensively increases the odds of developing Plantar Fasciitis.

That said, even non-athletes who develop Plantar Fasciitis have often put excessive weight on the foot either as a result of obesity, sudden weight gain, prolonged standing, Osteoarthritis and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis and wearing shoes with poor support (and sigh…have you ever noticed that some of the best looking shoes are the ones with poor support?!)

People who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis sometimes describe the feeling as a hot, sharp sensation in the heel, often experienced first thing in the morning which dissipates as the day wears on. This ebb and flow of the pain might explain why it’s often tempting to procrastinate giving this condition the attention it needs.  What’s more, the pain associated with it can be felt most intensely after a period of rest.  So what is a sufferer to do???

Well, there are a number different treatment options.  Since Plantar Fasciitis is so common in athletes, sports therapy clinics often offer the most comprehensive selection of choices available. These can include stretching exercises, massage, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and preventative programs. The most popular treatment for Plantar Fasciitis, by far, is custom foot orthotics.

A custom foot orthotic stabilizes the foot, provides arch support, absorbs shock and cushions the heel. Custom foot orthotics are far superior to over the counter orthotics that are much less expensive since these custom inserts are manufactured based on your foot’s shape and where most of your weight lands on it.  These are usually made by a physical therapy clinic that specializes in sports medicine.

Several hundred years ago both athletes of the day and every regular Joe had to just suffer through Plantar Fasciitis.  But no more, thanks to modern medical advancement! Seeking a medical opinion has, for many, offered a first successful step towards resolving an annoying and painful Plantar Fasciitis problem.

For more information about foot pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis along with treatment options please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca