This structure is located behind the tibia and runs down to the inside of the foot around the boney prominence (medial malleolus) on the inside of the ankle. The injury is characterised with pain behind the medial malleolus and down to where the tendon inserts into the foot. Patients with a pronated foot type are more prone to developing this injury.
This is one of the most common injuries seen at the clinic. The Achilles inserts into the heel bone and forms the end part of the calf muscle complex (Gastrocnemius and soleus). It is one of the main muscles used to push the body forward. It can become injured when overused or when training is increased too rapidly. It occurs very commonly in pronated foot types. Some patients may find that there are lumps within the tendon and can experience stiffness in the morning and pain when going up stairs. This injury is easily treated when seen early but if left it can quickly become a chronic injury and become much more difficult to heal.
Shin Splints are a common injury especially in patients new to running it can be caused by poor shock absorption as well as in the pronated foot type. It is often occurs when the outer covering of the tibia (periostium) becomes inflamed as a result of too much stress being put upon it. Characterized with lumps and/or tenderness on the inner part of the shin, it will often resolve after periods of rest only to flare up again on return to training.
This occurs when a muscle becomes too big for the compartment that contains it, pain is experienced on the outer border of the shin. This occurs when the muscle has to compensate for a biomechanical abnormality. The extra work placed on the structure can cause an overdevelopment and increase the size of the structure. Rest and biomechanical control is needed to prevent the muscle from working too hard.
This is inflammation at the point of insertion of the Achilles tendon into the heel bone (calcaneus). It presents in children between the ages of 8 -16 and usually follows a recent growth spurt. As the bones increase in length the muscles become tighter. Pain is often felt when walking or running and it is often tender when the heel is squeezed, there may be a slight swelling or bump in the area. The use of heel lifts can give temporary relief to the symptoms but more support may be needed if the patient is an overpronator.
