Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is commonly caused by overuse. It is a problem that is often seen in runners which causes pain at the back of the heel/lower leg. Tendons are made up of collagen fibres. If the tendon is not able to tolerate the loads that it is subjected to; damage to the collagen fibres occurs which creates pain and causes loss of function. Factors contributing to this condition include training errors, inappropriate footwear, inflexibility, weakness and biomechanical issues. The more correct term for this condition is Achilles tendonopathy.
Ankle Sprain
An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments at the side of the ankle joint. It is usually caused by turning or twisting the ankle. The outside of the ankle is most often affected (eversion) but the inside could also be a problem (inversion). Pain and swelling over the affected area are common with pain to stand or walk. It can take up to 6 weeks or more to recover fully from a severe ankle sprain which is often a lot longer than people think.
ACL Injury
ACL is the abbreviated term given to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. The ACL is a ligament inside the knee joint, its job is to provide stability to the knee and prevent the shin bone (tibia) sliding forwards on the thigh bone (femur). The Cruciate ligament is most commonly injured through a twisting movement on a slightly bent knee and is very common in skiing and sports injuries. Initially this injury can be very painful with significant swelling. If left untreated an ACL deficient knee can cause locking or giving way.
Adhesive Capsulitis (or frozen shoulder)
Adhesive capsulitis is more commonly known as frozen shoulder. It causes progressive stiffness and pain of the shoulder joint. Adhesive capsulitis can occur following an injury or after surgery but often there is no apparent cause.
This condition follows 3 distinct phases;
Phase 1: Very painful and beginning to stiffen
Phase 2: Extremely restricted movement but less painful
Phase 3: Resolving range of motion, very little if any pain
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, multisystem inflammatory disorder which causes progressive pain and stiffness of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and spine. (To a lesser degree, the shoulder, hip, and tempomandibular joints may also be affected). AS is part of a group of conditions called spondyloarthropathies, which includes reactive arthritis, psoriasis, juvenile chronic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohns disease.
Back Pain
Back pain can be the result of a range of conditions that affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, nerves or other soft tissues or joints. Most back pain does not have one simple cause, but may be due to a range of factors, such as poor posture, repetitive activity and bad habits. Pain does not necessarily mean there is a serious problem.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) causes pain, numbness and/or weakness in the hand or wrist. It results from compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow passageway at the wrist made up of of ligaments and bones which is called the carpal tunnel. Excessive repetitive movements of the arms, wrists or hands from activities such as painting or typing can aggravate the carpal tunnel bringing out the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Thickening from injured tendons or other swelling can cause compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is an irritation or injury of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel at the elbow. The cubital tunnel is found at the inside of the elbow just underneath a bony prominence called the medial epicondyle. Irritation to the ulnar nerve causes numbness of the ring and little finger, weakness of muscles in the hand and forearm and pain around the inside of the elbow.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot occurs in one of the deep veins, usually in the leg. Swelling, pain, redness of the area and heat/warmth felt over the skin are common symptoms of DVT. DVT’s can be easily treated but if not picked up soon enough, could cause serious complications. If you suspect a DVT, seek medical help immediately.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease refers to a condition in which the involved disc causes lower back pain (LBP). This pain is frequently caused by simple wear and tear on the spine and comes with the general aging process. Degenerative disc disease is fairly common, and it is estimated that at least 30% of people aged 30-50 years old will have some degree of disc space degeneration, although not all will have pain or ever receive a formal diagnosis.
Golfers Elbow
Golfers elbow causes pain over the inside of the elbow joint (medial epicondyle). It is very similar to tennis elbow in that it is caused by overuse of muscles that attach onto the point of the elbow; it only differs in its location. Golfers elbow is a problem not exclusive to golfers, any activities which are repetitive, new or unaccustomed can aggravate this problem.
Hallux Rigidus
The ‘Hallux’ is the medical term for the big toe. Hallux Rigidus is stiffness and pain of the big toe joint caused by arthritis. The joint is covered with cartilage, a shiny covering to protect the bone ends as this covering wears degeneration occurs until bone is against bone. Bone spurs develop as part of this degeneration process and movement is decreased.
Hip Labral Disorders
The labrum of the hip is a ring of cartilage which is responsible for deepening the acetabulum (hip socket) to provide increased joint stability. It contains nerve endings to enhance proprioception, but may also be a source of pain. The labrum is susceptible to traumatic injury from shearing forces that occur with twisting, pivoting and falling. The most common mechanism is an external rotation force in a hyper extended position.
ITB Friction Syndrome
The Illiotibial Band (ITB) is a thick connective tissue band which runs down down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the knee. ITB friction syndrome occurs when the ITB rubs over the bony prominence at the outside of the knee. It causes pain over the outside of the knee which is worse when going downstairs or walking downhill. This problem is seen commonly in runners and can be related to tightness or weakness of the muscles in the outer thigh, flat feet or use of inappropriate footwear.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral Epicondylitis is more commonly known as tennis elbow. It causes pain over or around a bony prominence at the outside of the elbow called the lateral epicondyle which is aggravated by gripping actions. Tennis elbow is normally caused by overuse or new/unaccustomed activities which involve gripping and/or wrist extension. It is more common in people between their 30’s and 50’s.
Meniscal Lesions
A meniscus is a half moon shape of cartilage found within the knee. There are two in each knee one is on the inside of the joint (medial) the other is on the outside (lateral). The meniscus can become torn, either due to an excessive force applied to a 'normal' meniscus or normal forces acting on a degenerative meniscus. The most common mechanism of injury is a twisting injury. It may also be associated with other ligamentus injuries, typically the ACL and the MCL. Radial tears are short tears which extend from the medial rim towards the lateral rim of the meniscus. A circumferential tear extends along the length of the meniscus, these types of tear may not go through the full depth of the meniscus, but if they do, they are called bucket-handle- tears. A horizontal split in the body of the meniscus is usually called a horizontal cleavage tear. The flap tear is also horizontal but at the surface of the meniscus rather than in the middle.
Migraine
Migraine is a severe headache that has a number of associated symptoms. It is a common problem. It is ranked by the World Health Organization as number 19 among all diseases world-wide causing disability. Migraine can be divided into two major sub-types. Migraine without aura – this is a severe headache usually at the front or to one side of the head. Often the pain is described as throbbing which is usually made worse with movement. Migraine with aura – this is like the migraine without aura but is associated with symptoms before the headache (aura’s). Common aura symptoms are visual symptoms, dizziness, balance problems and speech difficulty. Some patients also experience a premonitory phase, occurring hours or days before the headache, and a headache resolution phase. Premonitory and resolution symptoms include hyperactivity, hypoactivity, depression, craving for particular foods and repetitive yawning.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is extremely common. Pain and stiffness can make it difficult to turn round - for example, when reversing a car. Symptoms may appear suddenly, as when someone wakes up with a stiff and painful neck, or gradually. The pain may be limited to the neck or may be accompanied by headaches and dizziness, or pain and pins and needles down the arm or hand. Most neck pain does not have one simple cause, but is a result of a range of conditions that affect joints, muscles, tendons and the other tissues in the neck. Factors that can contribute include tension and sustained or repetitive activity, such as using the telephone a lot, sitting at computer screens or in front of the television, playing a musical instrument, and long-distance driving. If the neck has moved suddenly and unexpectedly (as in a car accident), the pain may be due to an injury, commonly known as whiplash.
Osgood Schlaters Disease
Osgood Sclatters is a condition that affects the front of the knee joint and causes pain associated with sports and other vigorous activity. The muscles at the front of the thigh (quadriceps) join onto the shin bone via the knee cap tendon. The point at which they attach is called the tibial tuberosity. Osgood Schlatters occurs when there is increased load via the quadriceps on the tibial tuberosity which causes pain and swelling over the front of the knee. Eventually an increased bony lump is formed over the tibial tuberosity. This problem affects adolescents and is worst during growth spurts.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disorder in which bones become increasingly porous and brittle leading to increased risk of fracture. Age is a risk factor for osteoporosis, bone loss increases as you get older and women are more likely to suffer osteoporosis. Having osteoporosis doesn’t necessarily mean that your bones will break more, but it does mean you are at greater risk.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is also known as runner’s knee or chondromalacia patella. It causes pain at the front of the knee which often gets worse when going up and down stairs. The pain is caused by irritation to the back of the kneecap which is due to poor alignment of the knee cap on the thigh bone. This might be due to weakness of the surrounding muscles or tightness of the outer thigh.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes pain at the base of the heel and along the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia is a band of sinew that attaches to the base of the heel and runs along the sole of the foot to the toes. Its main purpose is to provide support and act as a shock absorber. The most common of injury is overuse such as running, jobs with prolonged standing, etc which allow for repetitive micro trauma to the fascia. According to the research, some common risk factors include obesity, an occupation with prolonged standing, heel spurs, flat feet and tight calves.
Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles which provide stability to the shoulder joint. Injuries to the rotator cuff can be acute (sudden) or chronic (longstanding). Chronic injuries are usually the result of overuse or wear and tear. Acute injuries are the result of and over stretch or over load. Rotator cuff injury is the broad term given to a number of separate conditions such as impingement, tendonitis or muscle strain. Rotator cuff injuries will cause pain around the shoulder often with restricted movement and limitation of function.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are a term used to describe pain at the front of the lower leg. The most common reason for the pain is inflammation of the muscles where they attach onto the shin bone. However the pain could also be caused by bone damage or increased pressure within the compartments of the lower leg. This is a very common problem seen in runners especially when there is a change in training schedule. Flat (pronated) feet and tight calf muscles are common contributing factors to the development of this problem.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in which the soft tissues in the neck are sprained as a result of the body being moved backwards and forwards by an unexpected, strong impact e.g. in a car crash. Symptoms often include stiffness in the neck and back of the head, and headaches. Some people also feel pain in the shoulder, between the shoulder blades, or temporary dizziness.
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