Help For Shin Splints

Are you a runner with lower leg pain?

Shin splints are definitely an unwelcome visitor when you are trying to keep up with a running or exercise routine. Known as medial tibial stress syndrome, it is a common problem seen at our Troy, NY podiatric office.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya, treats runners and athletes on a regular basis. Shin splints can stop you in your tracks, but with treatment by Dr. Pandya and an understanding of how they develop will get you back on your feet in no time.

Shin splints cause pain alongside or behind your shinbone. Pain arises from your muscles and tendons becoming inflamed. You might notice swelling and tenderness if you touch your lower leg. Typically, shin splints develop after too much stress has been put on your shinbone. Dr. Pandya often sees shin splints in patients who:

• Consistently run downhill

• Run in unsupportive or worn out footwear

• Are heavily involved in sports or activities with starts and stops such as basketball or tennis

• Train too hard and too fast, putting an overload of stress on their legs

• Play sports on hard, unforgiving surfaces

• Have flat feet or rigid arches

Suffering from shin splints is not fun. You can effectively treat them at home by resting and avoiding any activities that cause further pain. Try ice packs and elevating your shin to reduce swelling. If you can’t keep them from returning, you may need corrective shoes or custom orthotic inserts to support your feet.

Contact us today for help and stop living in pain. You can make an appointment by calling (518) 273-0053 or visit us at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Playing Tennis Part 3 - Will Orthotics Help You on the Court?

The sport of tennis can be very stressful on both your feet and ankles. Tennis is associated with many quick movements that pivot your body back and forth, and bounce your feet from side to side. These quick movements can easily lead to many painful foot and ankle injuries and your feet require specific footwear for the sport. Specific footwear is a great way to prevent injuries, but you can reduce your risk even further by the use of custom made orthotics.

Tennis orthotics are designed to comfort your feet, keep them healthy, and reinstate the natural techniques and functions of your feet. Pain in the heel of your foot is often associated with an incorrect stride. Tennis orthotics can work to properly align your feet and ankles to their natural and healthy position. Tennis orthotics helps properly distribute your weight evenly on your feet so that pressure is not built up in certain areas. Orthotics can help to improve your posture which is directly related to your balance. Poor posture and balance can lead to serious injuries. Improper weight distribution upon your feet can severely alter the structure of your bones in both your feet, ankles, and your lower legs.

Orthotics are a great way to prevent injuries as well as help with conditions that you may already be experiencing. Orthotics can help reduce pain in your feet and ankles and comfort flat feet. Orthotics can also help with shock absorption. Tennis orthotics can also help to reduce your risk for developing the following conditions:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Corns
• Metatarsalgia
• Ankle Sprains
• Flat Feet
• Bunions

Orthotics can inspire your greatest performance giving your muscles, tendons, and bones optimal functionality. Orthotics usually last between 12 and 16 months, after which they should be replaced. Your best option is to purchase custom made orthotics which are fitted specifically to the exact shape each of your feet in order to offer you the greatest protection.

If you would like to be fitted for custom molded tennis orthotics, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Tennis_Orthotics.htm

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Playing Tennis Part 2 - Most Common Foot and Ankle Injuries

The sport of tennis gives your body an aerobic workout. Playing tennis is a great way to stay healthy, fit and of course have fun. Unfortunately, your feet and ankles are subjected to an overwhelming amount of stress during a game. The back and forth and side to side motions of the game can put a lot of pressure upon your lower limbs. Combined with the swift start and stop of the game, your feet and ankles can very easily obtain an injury.

Common foot and ankle injuries while playing tennis include:

• Ankle Sprains: These painful ailments are the most common injuries associated with the sport of tennis. Ankle sprains commonly develop when the foot turns inward in an awkward motion. The consistent back and forth and side to side movements can make your ankles prone to sprains. Ankle sprains can cause severe pain and swelling. If you develop an ankle sprain, you should rest and elevate the injured ankle. You can apply ice and wrap the ankle to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

• Plantar Fasciitis: The quick movements involved in a tennis match can put a lot of stress on the arch of your foot. You plantar fascia, the band of fiber tissue that stretches from your heel bone down to your toes, supports the arch of your foot. The forced exerted on your feet can cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed and extremely painful as a result of plantar fasciitis. You can treat, as well as, prevent this condition by purchasing tennis specific shoes, wearing the correct shoe size, and investing in custom made orthotics.

• Tennis Toe: This condition, also referred to as subungal hematoma, develops when blood collects underneath your toenail. Tennis toe can be directly related to the shoes that you wear. It is always important to wear the correct shoe size. Remember to measure your feet and try shoes on before every purchase. You should also check your shoes at least once a month to determine that they still fit properly. You should purchase footwear that is specific to tennis in order to better protect your feet. If you develop tennis toe, you can relieve built up blood by applying ice, but make sure to contact our office as soon as possible.

With the overwhelming amount of stress exerted on your feet and ankles it can be easy to develop an injury.  It is important to take preventative methods while playing tennis. If you require any additional information on how to prevent these common injuries, or you have already developed an injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.stege.com/topics/sports/tennis.htm

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• Playing Tennis Part 1 - Finding the Right Shoes

Playing Tennis Part 1 - Finding the Right Shoes

Tennis players need to have speed, good coordination, endurance, and be quick on their feet. All of this can be affected by the shoes on your feet. When you think of equipment associated with the sport of tennis you probably think about the ball, the racket, and the need for a properly sized court and net. However, so many people forget about the footwear.

Shoes should always be considered as one of the most important forms of equipment associated with almost every sport. Tennis players should wear tennis specific shoes in order to keep their feet healthy and happy. Dr. Tejas Pandya has come up with a few tips to help guide you in the right direction.

• Look for flexibility. Proper tennis shoes should be able to maneuver the excessive movements associated with the sport. Tennis involves a wide range of movements. From side-to-side steps, to the fast runs and the intense jumps, your shoes should be flexible enough to manage these quick and varying movements.

• Support the sides of your feet. The movements involved in a tennis match can often cause you to lean to the sides of your feet. For this reason, your shoes should have extra lateral support in order to reduce your risk of injury.

• Know your court. Tennis courts can be made of a variety of different materials. Your tennis match may take place on concrete, grass, or clay, and each holds a different set of requirements on the amount of support and cushioning you need from your shoes. Determine what kind of court you will be playing on and then choose your footwear accordingly.

• Be sport specific. A lot of tennis players are under the assumption that they can get by just fine with regular running shoes. However, Dr. Pandya urges you to wear tennis specific footwear. Running shoes are designed for different movements, and not those associated with the sport of tennis.  Therefore running shoes cannot properly protect your feet during a match.

Discovering the right shoe for your personal needs can be difficult due to the increasingly large variety available to you. The exact shape of your foot, your natural stride, and your posture can have a huge effect of the shoes your feet require. If you desire any additional help on finding the right tennis shoe, or would like to be fitted for a custom molded orthotic, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.tennisexpress.com/info/buying-the-right-tennis-shoes.cfm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/211024-the-best-tennis-shoes-with-foot-support/

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