Knee / Ankle Pain

Knee and ankle pain has the ability to truly alter a person’s ability to perform normal daily activities. People of all ages depend on the optimum functionality of their knees and ankles in order to get from one place to another. As such, any type of damage to the knee or ankle can not only be painful, but can change the way a person goes about their day to day schedule. From the most severe of injuries to minor tweaks and strains, addressing knee and ankle pain head on is essential to creating a treatment and recovery plan that works for you. Joint pain is often overlooked and quickly becomes a far more serious issue. In fact, nearly one in five individuals in the United States suffers from chronic pain in the knees and/or ankles.

Active individuals are certainly more vulnerable to suffering knee or ankle pain. When it comes to sports injuries, the knees and ankles are some of the most commonly injured areas of the body. Athletes must take these types of injuries seriously, regardless of the severity. Ignoring knee and/or ankle pain can quickly lead to much more severe damage. At Campbell Sports Rehab and Spine Center, our professionally trained staff is prepared to treat all types of knee and ankle injuries. Our experienced chiropractic care team can handle and of the following knee / ankle pain:

Sports injuries are most often associated with various injuries to the musculoskeletal system. From the ever-annoying shin splints to the more serious calf tears, addressing sports injuries from the first suspicion of pain is imperative to limiting the amount of damage and, in worst case scenarios, permanent damage. Therefore, a proactive approach is always the most advantageous way to deal with knee and ankle pain. In doing so, the injured individual is able to treat the pain early, which more often than not reduces the recovery time.

Meniscus Injuries

The meniscus is the area of cartilage between the thighbone and shinbone which serves as a shock absorber for the knee. As the cushion for the knee joint, the meniscus plays a role in keeping the knee stable and able to handle the stress placed upon the body’s largest joint. A tear in the meniscus ranges in severity from minor to moderate to severe and is one of the most common knee injuries suffered today. While a meniscus tear can occur in a wide variety of ways, this is one of the most common sports injuries and prevents the knee from achieving its full range of motion. Surgical treatment may or may not be required; however, physical therapy will be essential in the recovery process for all kinds of meniscus injuries.
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ITB Friction Syndrome

Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITB friction syndrome) is amongst the most common of lateral knee pain, frequently seen in injuries from cyclists, runners, and military personnel. The iliotibial band is a group of very tough fibers that are located along the outside of the thigh. The primary role of the ITB is stabilizing the knee, which often leads to ITB friction syndrome because it is an overuse injury. Typically recognized by a pain located on the outside of the knee or the lower thigh region, ITB friction syndrome can be treated with physical therapy. Surgery is rarely ever necessary with these types of injuries and the primary approach to treating ITB friction syndrome involves light stretching and addressing the training and biomechanical errors that led to the damage.
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Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome, often called “runner’s knee”, is one of the most common injuries in runners and all athletes who must run frequently and put stress on their knees. Due to the complex nature of the knee’s construction the region is often sensitive to overuse damage. When the soft tissues located around the front of the knee are irritated, patellofemoral pain is often inflicted, in addition to strained tendons. The symptoms associated with patellofemoral syndrome are easy to diagnose and are treated with a combination of physical therapy and rest. Increasing the about of flexibility and strength in the region will be the goal of the physical therapy exercises to reduce knee tightness.
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Calf Tears

Calf tears range drastically in severity and are often marked by a grade 1, 2, or 3 injuries. The calf refers to the muscles in the back of the lower leg and is often injured in the region where the calf muscles meet with Achilles tendon, in the middle of the leg. Whether the calf muscle is pulled or torn, it is imperative to treat the injury immediately to avoid additional or permanent damage. The initial injury is often recognized by a “pop” heard followed by swelling, bruising, and pain. Physical rehabilitation is the most effective way to treat calf tears in order to get the patient prepared for physical activity. It is important to note, however, that getting back to the sport too quickly can result in serious damage.
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Shin Splints

Shin splints are amongst the most common of all sports injuries. This particular injury refers to a pain located on the inner edge of the tibia (shinbone) and is most commonly linked to running. The medical term for shin splints is medial tibial stress syndrome and is the inflammation of the tendons, bone tissues, and muscle surrounding the tibia. The most noticeable pain is located where the muscles attach to the bone on the inner border of the tibia. More often than not, shin splints are caused by overuse injuries which are brought on by repeated physical activity. Treating shin splints involves rest as well as flexibility exercises to return the injured individual to normal activity quickly.
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Sprained Ankles

Each and every day nearly 25,000 people suffer from a sprained ankle injury. As one of the most common injuries for both athletes and non-athletes, sprained ankles affect people from all walks of life. While there are certainly many cases where a physical activity causes the injury, sprained ankles can be suffered from a simple walk. The ankle joint and bones are held together by ligaments and these serve to protect the ankle from abnormal movement. While the ligament is an elastic structure, ankle sprains occur when the ligament is stretched beyond the normal range. In severe ankle sprains the ligament may tear. Treating sprained ankles involves physical therapy in order to regain strength in the ankle and rebuild the damaged ligaments.
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The knee and ankle are some of the most commonly targeted regions for sports injuries. Unfortunately, athletes attempt to play through these injuries all too often, typically increasing the damage and the recovery time. Tackling knee and ankle pain from the first symptom of discomfort is imperative to limiting the amount of pain. At Campbell Sports Rehab and Spine Center, we take each and every patient on an individual basis, assessing the particular damage and the best plan of action for personal treatment. Our sports injury experts are prepared to guide you back onto the field as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience!