Sports injuries

Injuries and conditions: sports injuries

ACHILLES TENDONITIS

Pain in the rope like structure behind the ankle common following repetitive use for example in sports such as tennis, running etc. It is important to treat this well to prevent reoccurrence.

CALF TEAR

Tennis players, runners and other sports enthusiasts commonly suffer with this problem. It can present as a very sharp pain in the back of the lower leg or can build up over time. Very important to get treatment quickly as they can get worse. Responds well to massage and stretches.

COMPARTMENT SYNDROME

Most commonly found in the lower leg where the pressure in this area is too high and causes pain. Can respond well to massage, acupuncture and a good stretching programme.

CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY

You have two cruciate ligaments that stabilise your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) which cross over each other deep in the knee joint. Most commonly a sports injury. Can respond well to physiotherapy but may also need orthopaedic assessment.

GOLFER'S ELBOW

Despite the name, you don’t have to be a golfer. This injury is where the muscle and tendon complex on the inside of your elbow become painful. Normally aggravated by lots of gripping activities. Responds very well to massage, ultrasound and stretches.

GROIN STRAIN

Also known as adductor strain. Normally a sporting injury where pain is found on the inside of your thigh due to a tear in the adductor muscles or tendons. Responds well to specific exercises and massage.

HAMSTRING INJURY

Very common in sports such as football, rugby, tennis and sprinting. The muscle in the back of your thigh tears. Normally a very sudden pain, ‘like being shot!’. Responds very well to physiotherapy.

HEEL SPUR

Pain on the underside of your heal can result from a bony growth called a heel spur. It is usually very painful and is closely related to plantar fasciitis.

ILLIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME (ITB)

Pain in the outside of your thigh very commonly gives hip or knee pain. Often aggravated by lots of running, squatting, lunges, stairs or getting up from a chair. Responds well to hands on physiotherapy and specific exercises.

JUMPER'S KNEE

As it suggests in the title, a common injury for long jumpers, high jumpers and triple jumpers. Please see patella tendinopathy below, as it is essentially the same. The bit under your knee cap gets overworked and the tendon is aggravated. Responds well to treatment including ultrasound, taping, stretches and massage.

MENISCAL INJURY

The meniscus is a structure found in your knee that acts like a washer. This is commonly acutely injured in a twisting injury (commonly in sports) or due to wear and tear as we age..

OSGOOD-SCHLATTERS

Pain on the bony bit just under the front of your knee. Most common in sporty teenagers related to growth spurts. Important to have a good stretching and strengthening program. May also respond to acupuncture. Please see our peadiatric page for more information.

PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY

Aggravation of your patella tendon (which is the semi-firm structure just below your knee cap) commonly caused by muscle imbalance or biomechanical alignment. A full assessment is needed to identify all possible causes of the pain.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Normally very painful under the heel especially in the morning or on walking. Foot biomechanics and muscle tightness are commonly the cause and will be assessed during your first visit. Can occur in anyone from the sporty to the not so active. Responds very well to the combination of treatment that we can offer. (please see our treatments page for further information)

RUNNER'S KNEE

As the title suggests runners (normally long distance) suffer with this. It presents with pain at the front of the knee due to a problem with the patellofemoral joint. It responds well to physiotherapy and a good stretching programme. It does not always mean you have to stop running.

SHIN SPLINTS

This describes pain found along the front part of your lower leg. There are many causes for this varying from tight muscles, poor biomechanics to a tight nervous system. It is important to have a thorough assessment to get the correct diagnosis.

TENNIS ELBOW

You don’t have to be a tennis player. The muscle and tendon complex on the outside of your elbow become painful. Normally aggravated by lots of gripping activities, use of hands or computer mouse work. Responds very well to massage, ultrasound and stretches.