What causes shin pain?
Shin splints are the most common cause of severe pain in your shins. This type of overuse injury is on the rise because more and more people are participating in organized sports. Physical activity is the main cause of this microtrauma. Shin pain often occurs in runners or other athletes whose sport requires quick, cutting motions. The repetitive training inflames tendons and muscles and puts athletes more at risk of developing shin splints.
Preexisting foot conditions like flat feet and pronation can also increase your chance of developing this type of pain. If you have flat feet or pronation issues, always wear the proper footwear to prevent any type of foot or ankle pain. The signs of shin splints often resemble those of stress fractures. If the front of your calves hurt after activity, call a sports medicine expert like Dr Khanh Le for a consultation.
Do you have shin pain that won’t go away? Schedule an appointment online with The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic . If you can’t see us right away, make sure your take a break from your regular routine and give yourself time to rest. We’ve been proudly serving the Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and surrounding areas since 1992.
How do I prevent shin splints?
The first thing you need to know is that shin splints are caused by many different factors. Often they’re caused by stress fractures in the shinbone, swollen muscles, or flat feet. One of the most important things to do is check your shoes. Worn out or unsupportive shoes put you at risk of developing shin splints. If your shoes need to be replaced, go shopping later in the day. Your feet swell as the day progresses, so going later will ensure a more accurate fit.
Custom orthotics can also help prevent shin splints. They stabilize the foot and help support flat feet. In addition to purchasing orthotics, try strengthening exercises for your leg. Walking around on your tiptoes or your heels are good exercises to start with.
Lastly, stretch before and after exercise. If you suspect you have shin splints do not ignore them, they will only get worse. Give Dr Khanh Le a call if you are experiencing any pain in your feet or ankles at (425) 868-3338 or schedule an appointment online
How do I avoid ankle pain when I exercise?
Many athletes or exercise enthusiasts experience ankle pain while they run. However, there are ways to prevent the pain! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are wearing athletic shoes that fit properly. Many people don’t have a perfect stride. A lot of runners either under or overpronate. Simply put, underpronation is when the foot doesn’t roll inward enough and overpronation occurs when the foot rolls too far inward. Properly fitting shoes can correct these problems and help prevent ankle pain in the future.
It’s very important to listen to what you’re body is telling you. If you start to experience any pain, modify or stop your workout. Also make sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dr Khanh Le of Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic. We proudly serve the greater Eastside including Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue and Redmond areas. Remember, we are here to help keep you on your feet!
How do I prevent ankle sprains?
It’s impossible to know when a sprained ankle will occur. This is especially true for those who participate in sports, like running, tennis, and soccer. The good news is there are ways to prevent sprains.
Warming up before any physical activity is the first thing you should do to prevent this common ankle injury. Lightly stretching or slowly jogging will do the trick. Also, make sure you are wearing the proper athletic shoes for your foot type. If you have low arches or your feet pronate, your shoes should have support in the front and in the arch. If you have a high arch, wear shoes that have more cushion. Always wear shoes specific to your sport, and runners should remember to replace their shoes every 300-500 miles.
The best thing you can do to prevent sprains is to listen to what your body is telling you. If you feel any type of foot or ankle pain, stop or modify your activity until the pain goes away. If the pain persists, call sports medicine expert Dr Khanh Le. The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic proudly serves the Sammamish, Issaquah, Redmond, Kirkland and Bellevue areas.
How bad is my ankle sprain?
There are different types of ankle sprains . Inversion injuries are usually to blame for this ankle problem. This means that the ankle rolls outward while the foot turns inward. Stretching and tearing of the ligaments are the result. The damage can range from slightly stretched or torn to completely torn. Ankle sprains are classified into three different grades.
The first is Grade 1. This is when your ligaments only stretch or tear slightly. Usually the patient feels a mild tenderness, stiffness or swelling. Typically the ankle is stable and minimal pain is experienced while walking. Grade 2 describes a more severe tear with moderate bruising, swelling and pain. The ankle is tender to the touch and trying to walk can be painful. Lastly, Grade 3 is a complete tearing of the ligaments. Swelling and bruising is usually severe. Many patients describe the ankle as wobbly and walking is not possible. The ankle will give out if any pressure is placed on it.
If you have any type of sprain or ankle pain , call Dr Khanh Le, a sports medicine expert, at (425) 868-3338 . The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic has been serving the Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, and Redmond areas since 1992. We look forward to getting you back on your feet!
What is an overuse injury?
If you’re experiencing muscle aches, swelling, or pain in your feet from repetitive physical activity, chances are you have an overuse injury . They make up almost one half of all bone and muscle injuries treated by healthcare providers in the United States. Overuse injuries occur because of physical stress on the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This repetitive strain causes the tissue to become inflamed and weakened. As more and more people are becoming physically active, these problems are on the rise.
Our office often treats these types of foot and ankle conditions including: sprains , Achilles tendonitis , stress fractures , plantar fasciitis , and neuromas . There is good news-- it’s possible to avoid these sports injuries. If you’d like some tips, visit The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic website, or call our office. Dr Khanh Le, a sports medicine expert, will get you back in the game in no time!
Can I prevent Achilles tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis cannot be completely prevented; however, you can decrease your risk of developing this sports injury. Achilles pain is common in runners and other physically active people. The first thing you can do to prevent this overuse injury is to add a variety of different exercises to your routine. Alternate between low-impact and high-impact workouts. Make sure to limit certain exercises that put excessive strain on your Achilles tendon, like hill running . Also, remember to gradually increase the intensity of each of your workouts. Doing too much too soon can increase your risk of developing Achilles pain.
The second way to decrease your risk of developing Achilles pain is to wear the correct shoes, and replace them when necessary. Always look for good arch support in your athletic footwear . Running shoes should always support the arch and protect the heel. Custom orthotics are often helpful in addressing biomechanical concerns.
Dr Khanh Le of The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic is a sports medicine expert! If you experience weakness, stiffness, or swelling in your lower leg behind your ankle, call us immediately. If you live in the Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, or Redmond areas, schedule an appointment with us online .
Can I prevent stress fractures?
Yes, stress fracture prevention is possible. This overuse injury is one of the most unforgiving in sports. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced or aspiring athlete, you are still at risk, and once you have suffered from this type of break, you have a higher chance of re-injury.
Prevention begins with identifying the cause of the fracture. Start by reviewing your training habits. Have you changed your intensity, frequency, or methods? Next, listen to your body. Muscle soreness is an indicator that shock isn’t being absorbed properly, and that you should modify your routine. Constant soreness points to issues of flexibility or strength. Finally, another key to injury prevention is proper athletic footwear. Contact our office for shoe fitting advice .
If you train well, adequately prepare for your workout, and seek the advice of a sports medicine expert like Dr Khanh Le , you will be able to prevent stress fractures. He has been serving the Sammamish, Issaquah, Redmond, Kirkland and Bellevue areas since 1992.
What causes turf toe?
This sprain of the ligaments in the big toe is not always caused by artificial turf, although that surface can increase your risk. It can happen any time your weight rests on the ball of your foot and your leg bends too far forward. In a second, your toe can be pushed back too far against the top of your foot, causing the ligaments to stretch or tear.
A common turf toe cause is a football tackle that pushes a player forward while his toe is stuck to the ground by his cleats. Dancers who land on the ball of the foot can also jar the big toe. The injury usually happens suddenly, but it can also be the result of repeated trauma over a period of time.
Dr Khanh Le has been treating sports injuries in Sammamish for many years, including in the Bellevue, Issaquah, and Redmond areas. Call The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic today at (425) 868-3338, and find relief from your painful toe.
Can I prevent metatarsalgia?
Your best chance to prevent metatarsalgia is to find the right shoes. You put a lot of pressure on your metatarsals (the long bones behind your toes) every time you run. Imagine the force from all of your weight resting on them when you push off for the next step.
Visit a store that specializes in running and athletic footwear , and look for shoes that have a wide toe box that lets your toes spread out as needed when you push off or land for each step. If you have a normal or flat arch, footgear with a little extra cushioning under the ball of your foot can be enough to head off trouble. High-arched feet may need an insert that distributes weight away from the ball of the foot and provides a good cushion for it.
If you need help determining which shoes will work best for you, contact The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic in Sammamish at (425) 868-3338 , and let Dr Khanh Le help you avoid foot pain.
