Good luck to the Canadian Olympic Team

Over the next 3 weeks the London Summer Olympics will be showcasing thousands of athletes from all over the world. These athletes have been training for years to hone their performance to meet summer game standards and strive for a podium finish.  There is no doubt these athletes have injured themselves during their training while running, walking, jumping, lifting, aiming, throwing, diving, vaulting, rowing and swimming. Some athletes may even be competing at the London games with some type of injury.  The good news is that Olympic athletes have access to many different health professionals to treat their ailments to help them get ready for competition. 

Some of the lower leg extremity problems that can hamper an athlete included:

Hip pain

·         Bursitis

·         Leg length difference

Knee pain

·         Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy)

·         Patellofemoral syndrome,

·         Ilio tibial band syndrome,

·         Runner’s knee (Chondromalacia patella)

Leg pain

·         Shin splints (tibial stress syndrome)

Ankle pain

·         Achilles tendonitis (Achilles tendinopathy)

·         Recurrent ankle sprain (lateral ankle instability)

Foot pain

·         Plantar fasciitis

·         Heel spur syndrome

·         Collapsed arch (adult acquired flat foot)

·         High Arch (pes cavus)

·         Callus and Corns

·         Bunions and metatarsalagia

·         Morton’s neuroma

Many of athletic injuries listed above can occur due to an work related injury caused by repetitive stress, unstable foot posture and improper footwear.  Many occupational injuries get worse because people will try to work through the injury and not seek help in a timely fashion. Chiropodists and podiatrists are part of your health team to get you back to work pain free.  Chiropodists and podiatrists can identify the mechanical instability in your foot or lower leg that may be causing your injury.  We will examine your feet, lower legs, walking pattern, footwear and any systemic medical problems that may contributing your injury such as diabetes. Custom foot orthotics may be part of the solution to get you pain free and back to work

I wish the Canadian Olympic team members the best of luck in London in their pursuit of a podium finish.