Top Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them With Orthotic Insoles

Sports injuries are issues that many coaches and athletes are accustomed to. These conditions can cause physical pain to the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team. An ousted team member can affect the outcome of games and can have enduring results on the season as well. Like a team is affected by a missing member, a disabled body part affects the entire body. Lower-leg conditions such as shin splints, ankle injuries, and twisted knees can be caused by poor form, lack of flexibility, and overuse of the feet and lower legs. Cited by medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes develop shin splints sometime during their career. Here's how to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as avoiding other common sports injuries.

Shin Splints: How They Originate

There are many symptoms caused by shin splints such as pain in the front or side areas of the lower leg. This pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when adding pressure on the affected leg. There can also be swelling in the area that can produce tightness as well as make puffiness visible around the muscles. No matter what type of sport, from soccer to baseball any athlete can be affected by these conditions. Treatment for shin splints should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin pain relief recommended by sports injury specialists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the affected area for 1 - 2 days. Continuing physical therapy and preventive exercises include strength training moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the muscles in the front of the shin.

Twisting Injuries: How Weak Muscles Affect the Tendons and Ligaments

Twisting injuries are also commonly seen in impact-type sports. This is caused by either an extreme impact, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the ankle, lower leg, and knee. Weakened muscles can be remedied with lifting weights or exercises prescribed by a physical therapist that target the muscular areas that support the knees and ankles. Weak muscles lead to loosened joints in the ankles and knees so that simple movements or athletic activities can cause twisting injuries. Another effective measure for stopping these types of injuries are to support the arch of the feet with firm arch support. This can be accomplished through sports orthotic arch supports that support the foot during impact. The doctors at the Cleveland Clinic also recommend taping the arch for additional foot arch support during athletic activity.

Tearing Injuries: Why They Occur in the Lower Leg

Tearing of the ligaments or tendons are also typical kinds of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the tendon in the back of the heel and the knee ligament. An Achilles injury is generally caused by a lack of flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching form. This is a vital part in the warm-up process that must be taken seriously. Soft stretches without force are recommended for all sports participants. Holding the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds, resting for a few moments, then repeating the stretch is what kinesiology specialists suggest. Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are found in the knee and help hold the knee structure together. Injuries to this region can be avoided by weight-bearing exercises of the knee , calf and quadriceps through leg extension exercises and curls. Orthotics can help avoid both of these styles of injuries by supplying proper arch support, alignment of the feet, and cushion.