FOOT, ANKLE, AND LEG PAIN

Injuries involving the legs, ankles, or feet can have debilitating consequences because we engage them in almost every move we make. If you or your loved one is struggling with foot, ankle, and leg pain, Dr. Douglas Cancel can identify the source of the problem and usually target it with effective, non-surgical treatment protocols and rehabilitative exercises that will commonly bring about full resolution.

At Performance Sport Care, we will make sure you get personalized care to restore mobility and function of your legs, ankles, or feet by leveraging the proven methodology and strategies used in professional sports to recover from injury and transform how you perform, look, and feel each day.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are a common exercise-related problem. The term “shin splints” refers to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia) where muscles attach to this bone. In general, shin splints develop when the muscle and the sheath of tissue covering the bone (called the “periosteum”) becomes inflamed by overactivity.

Shin splints often occur after sudden changes in physical activity. These can be changes in exercise frequency, such as increasing the number of days you exercise each week. Changes in duration and intensity, such as running longer distances or on hills, can also cause shin splints. Other factors that contribute to shin splints include having flat feet, abnormally rigid arches or exercising with improper or worn-out footwear. Runners are at highest risk for developing shin splints. Dancers and military recruits are two other groups that frequently develop this problem.

High Ankle Sprain

A high ankle sprain is an injury to the anterior tibiofibular ligament which connects the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), just above the ankle. A high ankle sprain is sometimes associated with a fracture of one of the lower leg bones and is usually more severe than an “ordinary” lateral ankle sprain. It can require a longer period of treatment, a longer period of time for healing, and can be more problematic to treat. Following the initial treatment protocols, strength training is essential to return the ankle to full and unrestricted function for sports participation.

Ankle Sprain

At one time or another most people have had the experience of “twisting” their ankle. This twisting can stretch, partially tear, or completely tear the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Some patients never receive complete or adequate treatment of the torn ligaments from their “old” ankle sprain. This can lead to excessive ankle joint play/instability, recurring ankle sprains, and early ankle arthritis. You can be assured that Dr. Douglas Cancel and Performance Sport Care will guide and encourage you to achieve a full recovery from ankle sprains of all types.

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is an inflammatory condition that involves the ‘Achilles tendon,’ the tendon that anchors the calf muscles on the back of your leg to your heel bone. This tendon is involved in walking, running, and jumping. Tendinitis is the condition in which the tendon becomes swollen, tender, painful, and/or inflamed as a result of cumulative micro-traumatic tears. If this repetitive micro-trauma continues unabated, the inflamed tendon may develop degenerative changes (tendinosis) that can ultimately create conditions for an acute tendon rupture…. and the dreaded reconstructive surgery that would follow.

Achilles tendon problems frequently occur in athletes but are not uncommon in the general population. The frequency of Achilles tendinopathy in athletes has been reported in several studies. Elite long-distance runners have a lifetime risk of 52%, according to one study. Other studies have reported annual incidence rates of Achilles tendon disorders between 7 to 9% in top level runners. Among the military population, an incidence rate of 2.98 per 1000 person years was found.

Achilles tendinitis may be more likely to occur if there has been a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of an activity, such as hill running; if the calf muscles are very tight and inflexible; if you run on hard surfaces, such as concrete; you run too often; you jump frequently, such as when playing basketball; when there has been a change in shoe wear or when wearing shoes with improper support; when your foot tends to collapse inward or outward during normal standing (pronation or supination of the feet).

Our office offers a distinctly successful protocol for many Achilles Tendinitis sufferers that address most of the significant muscular/mechanical factors that are involved in this condition. In many cases, particularly those uncomplicated by advanced tendinosis or other co-existing medical issues, we often observe positive results in as soon as 3-5 treatment sessions. We invite those who are suffering with this injury to arrange a consultation with us to determine if our protocols might be right for you.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that functions somewhat like the bowstring on a bow. This connective tissue can become inflamed and infrequently, it can tear. The inflammation is often triggered by increasing the load on plantar fascia that is unaccustomed to it. Excessive loading could involve increasing running distance too much and/or too soon. Plantar fasciitis could also be provoked by running in shoes that have too many miles logged on them and no longer provide proper support. (If you are one of the “lucky ones,” some cases of plantar fasciitis resolve by simply by purchasing a new pair of shoes.) Faulty foot architecture such as flat and/or pronating feet can play a significant role in the development of plantar fasciitis.

Dr. Douglas Cancel and Performance Sport Care provide personalized care and a spectrum of conservative, non-surgical treatments to alleviate the pain and restore function and mobility in your legs, ankles, and feet. We serve the residents of Walnut Creek, CA, and the nearby communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Danville and Lafayette.

Experience personalized care for foot, ankle, and leg pain at Performance Sport Care. To get back on your feet, feel free to contact us at (925) 945-1155 or use our Request an Appointment form to schedule your consultation.