Get Ready for the Walk of Life with an ACL Knee Brace

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Cardiac Health Foundation’s Walk of Life! This amazing event, taking place on May 25^th, offers something for everyone – 6 different events for individuals of all ages – and it's a great way to get out and exercise all while supporting the cause of prevention, education and cardiac rehabilitation. But if you suffer from knee pain caused by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, an event like this may not hold the same appeal to you as it does for others.  

ACL sprains and tears are two of the most common knee injuries and can be brought on by a number of different things – from running, to participation in high-impact sports, to even just twisting the wrong way. How? Here’s a very brief anatomy lesson to bring you up to speed. The 3 bones that meet to form your knee joint (femur, tibia and patella) are connected by ligaments which act like strong ropes to hold those bones together and keep your knee stable. When you change direction rapidly, stop suddenly, slow down quickly when running or land incorrectly from a jump, these ligaments can be torn, resulting in severe pain and instability.

If you have suffered from a torn or sprained ACL, you may think surgery is the only answer for relief. But not necessarily.  Depending on the grade of the injury, surgery may be the only option for some, but only your doctor can decide if this is the right method of treatment. That being said, it isn’t the only method of treatment. An ACL knee-brace can work wonders to provide stability and strength when an injury is not severe. 

It's important to note, however, that not just any brace will do here, so don’t go running out to the nearest drug store to bag one off the shelf. Generic, one-size-fits-all braces offer minimal - if any - result. In order for your brace to address your specific issues and injury, it should be custom made to your exact specifications. Following an assessment with an experienced sports medicine specialist, your custom ACL knee brace can be created to fit your knee and secure the highest level of protection. This ensures your knee brace has the ability to protect you the way it should.  

If you're considering taking part in the Walk of Life, or just want to get back on the track after a knee injury, why not get fitted for a custom ACL knee brace and get some proper, long-lasting relief? 

To find out more about how an ACL knee brace can deliver you optimal relief, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 1-416-800-0800 or visit us at www.aesm.ca.

 

Prepare for The Cardiac Health Foundation’s Walk of Life with Custom Made Orthotics

On Sunday May 26^th, The Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada will hold its annual Walk of Life at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. The Walk of Life features a 3km and 5km walk, a 5km run, and a 1km family stroll. There are great prizes for runners with top time, a healthy breakfast before the event and a t-shirt for all participants. With summer just around the corner, this event promises to be a great one.  Celebrate the launch of the season by getting out there with some friends in support of The Cardiac Health Foundation.

As you prepare for this event, as well as for your own summer running season, it's best to ensure your body is in top form before stepping out onto the track. Those of us who enjoy running on a regular basis know though that pain can keep us from enjoying what we love. If you are a runner who faces the all too common foot pain that can accompany the sport, it's time to take charge and get your life back!

So how can you get rid of the foot pain (or knee, back and hip pain) that often accompanies running? A sports injury clinic that specializes in all types of sporting injuries has the answer. Instead of suffering with pain, sitting out when you want to be up and at 'em, combat those foot woes with custom made orthotics.

Ok, you might be wondering why you shouldn’t just go out and buy a generic pair of foot orthotics. Aren’t they the same? Are custom made orthotics really that much better? Think about it this way: a one-size-fits-all running shoe doesn’t exist for a reason. Running shoe types vary considerably in order to meet the needs and goals of each runner. So why then, would you want a one-size-fits-all orthotic? Hmmm, well, you probably wouldn’t.

So how do custom made orthotics created by a sports injury clinic differ? It all starts with a consultation to assess your pain and complete a computerized gait analysis. This helps establish what kind of custom made orthotics you need. Rather than a standard pair of orthotics, custom made orthotics target specific, individual pain, and correct it.

Just as with any sport, having the right equipment helps put you at the top of your game. Custom made orthotics are essential equipment for many runners, so it's important to visit a sports injury clinic to have your pain assessed and see if these are right for you. What better way to deal with a sports injury than to have it treated by an expert who specializes in sports related injuries?

For more information about custom made orthotics, or to schedule your gait analysis, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.