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In essence, repetitive and intense strain on the Achilles tendon is primarily the cause of Achilles tendinitis
Bodyinjury

Achilles Tendinitis: What are the Likely Causes?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

In essence, repetitive and intense strain on the Achilles tendon is primarily the cause of Achilles tendinitis.

Putting it another way, the condition is the injury of the Achilles tendon brought about by overuse.

The Achilles tendon is the tissue band that links the calf muscles (situated at the back of the lower leg) to the heel bone.

As one ages, the tendon structure weakens, making it more susceptible to injuries.

Likely Causes

Achilles tendinitis is prevalent among middle-aged individuals who engage in sports (i.e. tennis and basketball) only on the weekends and among runners who drastically increase the intensity and duration of their runs.

It is reassuring to note however that majority of Achilles tendinitis cases will respond to at-home remedies supervised by a medical professional.

However, serious cases should be given proper attention and treatment or it can result to tendon tears (ruptures) that might need surgical repair.

Common Symptoms

Telltale indicators of Achilles tendinitis include tenderness, stiffness, and mild ache in the back of the leg situated above the heel.

The symptoms will often manifest after runs and other intense activities.

Risk Factors

There are Some factors that can help increase one's risk of Achilles tendinitis

Some of the factors that can help increase one’s risk of Achilles tendinitis include:

Training choices – running on hilly terrains can significantly increase one’s likelihood of developing Achilles injuries. Wearing shoes that are worn-out can also increase the risk of developing the condition.

Age – the condition can occur more often as one ages

Sex – Achilles tendinitis is more common in men than in women

Medical conditions – patients with psoriasis and high blood pressure are more predisposed to Achilles tendinitis compared to their healthier counterparts

Physical problems – people with a flat arch in the foot are also more likely to develop the condition compared to others. Obesity and tight calf muscles are also factors that have been known to add to the tendon’s strain

Diagnosis

To accurately diagnose if the patient has Achilles tendinitis, the doctor will need to assess the range of motion, reflexes, flexibility, and alignment of both the ankle and the foot.

In some instances, the doctor will have to require other tests to evaluate the condition further.

Some of the likely tests include:

X-rays – while X-rays won’t be able to visualize the soft tissues, it is used to help rule out other conditions that might manifest the same symptoms.

Ultrasound – this device produces real-time images of the tendon in action using sound waves to visualize the soft tissues. If the blood flow around the tendon needs to be checked, a color-Doppler ultrasound will be required.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – with the use of radio waves and a strong magnet, MRI machines can produce highly detailed images.

Preventive Measures

While there is no sure way to prevent the condition from occurring, it is reassuring to know there are measures one can adapt to significantly reduce the risk of Achilles tendinitis from happening.

For starters, the following can help ensure Achilles tendinitis is kept at bay:

Cross-training – to ensure your Achilles tendon is safe from injury, it would be best to take it easy on the high-impact activities.

For instance, while it is perfectly okay to engage in running or jumping, consider it ideal to throw in some low-impact activities such as cycling and swimming.

Incorporating low-impact activities can help ensure your tendons are not strained.

Overexertion – as a general rule of thumb, refrain from engaging in activities that will put excessive strain on your Achilles tendons.

If you are going to do a strenuous activity, make sure to do your warm-ups first.

Also, when doing exercise routines, be sure to start slow and increase the duration and intensity as you go along.

Stretching –  to enhance flexibility, stretch your calf muscles and Achilles tendon in the morning before and after doing your exercise routine.

To know about Achilles tendinitis and its proper management, visit www.bjios.sg right away.

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pediatric orthopaedics is the specialty that treats bone defects that are acquired, genetic-related, and those that occur during gestation
Bodyhealth

Problems Commonly Seen by Pediatric Orthopaedics

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Simply put, pediatric orthopaedics is the specialty that treats bone defects that are acquired, genetic-related, and those that occur during gestation.

Orthopaedic conditions are prevalent among children.

Those children with congenital bone diseases and those who are suffering from musculoskeletal or developmental conditions can also benefit from the expertise of a pediatric orthopaedics specialist.

Some of the most common pediatric orthopaedic conditions among children are the following:

Foot

Hypermobile pes planus

While this condition often gets resolved when the child turns 6 years old, flexible feet is very common among children.

When symptoms of the condition will manifest, ankle stretch exercises and foot orthoses are often recommended.

Pes cavus

Pes cavus is a condition characterized by a high arch and will not respond to weight bearing.

Treatment approach can include physical therapy, orthotics, and in some cases, surgery.

In most cases however, the treatment approach used will depend on the condition’s severity.

Planovalgus deformity

While quite common, this condition is associated with cerebral palsy.

In ambulatory children, calcaneal lengthening will most likely be recommended to help correct deformities that are considered mild to moderate.

In non-ambulatory children suffering from a severe case of the condition, a high relapse rate is observed and surgery will often not help much.

Tarsal coalition

Common symptoms of this condition include a painful flat foot and calf muscle spasm.

Fortunately, tarsal coalition can be treated using noninvasive alternatives like casts and shoe inserts.

Severe cases of the condition however will often require surgery.

Toes

This condition will often affect the fourth and the fifth toes

Curly toes

This condition will often affect the fourth and the fifth toes.

The condition is also considered hereditary.

In most cases, no symptoms will manifest for curly toes.

Thankfully, as much as 50 percent of cases are resolved as soon as the child turns 3 or 4 years old.

Otherwise, surgery will be recommended.

Hammer toe

This condition will often affect the second toe.

When the condition becomes painful, surgery might be the likely option.

Ingrowing toenail

A condition known as paronychia develops when the edge of the nail grows into its surrounding soft tissue.

Treatment can range from noninvasive alternatives like warm soaks and antibiotics to diverse surgical procedures.

Polydactyly

This condition is considered one of the most common among the many foot deformities.

Severity of the condition can range from soft tissue duplication to major skeletal abnormalities.

In severe cases, surgical intervention might be the recommended treatment route.

Knee

Patellar subluxation and dislocation

The typical treatment for this congenital disorder is immobilization.

However, surgery might be recommended in chronic cases.

Popliteal cyst or Baker’s cyst

Treatment option for the condition is often noninvasive.

In cases however where there is an underlying knee derangement, arthroscopy will most likely be required.

Tibial apophysitis

This condition will often respond very well to conservative treatment alternatives like bracing, activity modification, and orthotics.

Discoid lateral meniscus

The malformation of the lateral meniscus is considered congenital.

If the condition becomes too bothersome, surgery will be recommended.

Hip

Developmental dysplasia

This condition is a spectrum of disorders that affect the acetabulum, proximal femur, and the hips.

Long-term morbidity can be avoided given that the condition will be detected early.

Transient monoarticular synovitis

Known as the common cause of limping, this condition also often develops after a respiratory infection.

Treatment options for the condition can often include physiotherapy, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.

Perthes’ disease

This condition is considered an idiopathic avascular necrosis affecting the femoral head.

Typical treatment intervention for the condition will often include analgesia, bed rest, and bracing.

In some cases however, a procedure redirecting the femoral head’s ball known as femoral varus osteotomy will be required to correct the condition.

If your child has an orthopaedic condition that needs expert attention, head to www.bjios.sg now.

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Bodyfitnessinjury

Foot and Ankle Injuries: Essential Facts

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Foot and ankle injuries are very common.

So common that everyone has most likely experienced one at one point in their lives or another.

The cause of foot and ankle injury are often attributed to two things—everyday wear and tear and overuse.

Even when extremely common, there are plenty of facts about foot and ankle injuries many people are not aware of.

For the uninitiated, below are some of the basic facts about food and ankle injuries not many people know about:

In children, a foot and ankle injury can often occur when engaging in sports, while playing, or during falls.

In general, majority of foot and ankle injuries happen when doing work or projects around the house, when engaged in work-related tasks, or while involved in sports or recreational activities.

Certain athletes like dancers, soccer players, gymnasts, and basketball players are more prone to foot and ankle injuries compared to others.

Injury risk for foot and ankle injuries is often higher when doing activities that entail jumping (i.e. soccer or football).

Older adults are more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries since they are more likely to already lose much in terms of muscle mass and bone strength because of their age. Vision and balance problems can also increase their risk significantly.

Minor foot and ankle injuries will often respond well to home remedies. However, acute injuries secondary to twisting, jamming, bending, falling, direct blows, and penetrating injuries may require immediate medical attention.

Some of the most common acute injuries include:

Puncture wounds

Sharp objects like nails, needles, ice picks, and knives can cause puncture wounds. It is easy for puncture wounds to get infected so seeking medical attention is recommended at all times.

Tendon injuries

When tendons rupture, it can result to discomfort and severe pain.

Dislocation

Can be a result of a bone moving out of place.

Pulled muscles or strains

Muscles of the foot and the ankle can become strained. In some cases, it may also rupture.

Treatment options for foot and ankle injuries vary and may include medicine, first aid measures (splint, brace, application of cast), special shoe (orthotic device), and physical therapy.

When too much stress is placed on the tissues or joints, overuse injuries can develop.

Some of the most common overuse injuries can include:

Plantar fasciitis

This condition occurs when the plantar fascia (the flat and broad ligament situated at the bottom of the foot) becomes inflamed.

Achilles tendinitis or tendinopathy (tendinosis)

This condition is characterized of the soft tissues that are found in and around the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (Achilles tendon).

Retrocalcaneal bursitis

This condition occurs when the bursa is inflamed. Its symptoms include swelling and tenderness. Pain can become very noticeable when wearing shoes or when doing physical activities.

If the following symptoms will manifest, seeking medical attention is recommended:

  • There is obvious deformity
  • The skin of the injury site is broken
  • Numbness and tingling is experienced
  • The affected area turns blue, pale, or white
  • Excruciating pain is experienced
  • The swelling and the pain does not disappear even after 2 days
  • Signs of infection are showing like redness, fever, warmth, swelling, and red streaks in the affected area.

The recommended treatment option for foot and ankle injuries will often depend on the following key factors:

  • Severity of the condition
  • Type of the injury
  • Location of the injury
  • When the injury occurred
  • Age
  • Overall health condition
  • Activities (work, hobbies, sports)

Prevention of foot and ankle injuries is way easier if the following tips are kept in mind:

  • Invest in a new pair of running shoes after 500 miles of wear or at least every 3 months.
  • Do exercises for heel pain and tightness. This is especially important for athletes.
  • Refrain from doing excessive sprinting.
  • Walk regularly to enhance circulation and flexibility.

For help and guidance on foot and ankle injuries, please check www.bjios.sg.

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