Leg
Pick a Body Problem
Our mission is to provide the highest level of care through clinical excellence and superior customer service.
Fractures (Broken Bones)
Fractures may involve the outside or inside of the leg. The signs and symptoms of fractures are pain, swelling and bony deformities. X-rays are essential and rapid “reduction” (setting the bones close together for healing) is necessary. In extreme cases, open surgery is necessary to reduce the fracture. Often pins, plates and screws are used to maintain the reduction.
Possible Treatments
-
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
-
Isometric Exercise
Isometric Exercise
An isometric exercise is a muscle contraction without joint movement. Isometrics are usually prescribed for gentle nerve and muscle reeducation. They are typically used for strengthening with arthritis patients, post-surgical patients, or as an introductory muscle strengthening exercise. A usual progression is from isometrics to active and resistive exercises that involve joint movement.
-
Physical Agents
Physical Agents
Possible Treatments
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Heat Pack
- Ultrasound
Possible Treatment Goals
- Improve Balance
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Decrease Nerve Compression
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Range of Motion
- Improve Safety
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Wound Healing
Stress Fractures
These fractures result from repetitive submaximal loads applied to the foot, ankle, leg; they are usually the result of overuse (in athletes, over-training). They are common in long distance runners and female athletes.
Common stress fracture sites include the lower leg (in runners), calcaneus, talus, metatarsals in distance runners, and the big toe.
Pain and point tenderness, often relieved by rest, is typical. X-rays do not always show the fracture. Bone scans and MRI may be useful.
Most heal with rest, immobilization and cross training. Avoid high-impact workouts, and wear good shoes.
Possible Treatments
-
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
-
Isometric Exercise
Isometric Exercise
An isometric exercise is a muscle contraction without joint movement. Isometrics are usually prescribed for gentle nerve and muscle reeducation. They are typically used for strengthening with arthritis patients, post-surgical patients, or as an introductory muscle strengthening exercise. A usual progression is from isometrics to active and resistive exercises that involve joint movement.
-
Physical Agents
Physical Agents
Possible Treatments
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Heat Pack
- Ultrasound
Possible Treatment Goals
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Safety
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
Additional Resources
Gastrocnemius/Calf Muscle Strain
This injury is commonly the result of quick sprints while running. With a muscle strain, there is localized tenderness or a “bulge” more commonly at the inner region of the back of the leg. The pain is aggravated by walking, descending stairs, or raising the heel of the affected leg off the ground.
Possible Treatments
-
Aerobic/Endurance Exercise
Aerobic/Endurance Exercise
Stationary cycling is usually prescribed for improving the strength and/or range of motion of the hips, knees, ankles as well as cardio-vascular endurance.
-
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
-
Electrotherapeutic Modalities
Electrotherapeutic Modalities
Possible Treatments
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Iontophoresis
-
Gait or Walking Training
Gait or Walking Training
The analysis of walking problems by visually examining the interaction of the low back and the joints of the thighs, legs, and feet during the various stages of walking, including, initial contact, loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre swing, mid swing, and terminal swing. Many back, thigh, leg, ankle, and foot problems may be caused by or manifest themselves in subtle gait abnormalities.
-
Isotonics
Isotonics
-
Ankle Active Range of Motion
Ankle Active Range of Motion
-
Ankle Joint Mobilization
Ankle Joint Mobilization
-
Ankle Passive Range of Motion
Ankle Passive Range of Motion
-
Ankle Resistive Range of Motion
Ankle Resistive Range of Motion
-
Ice Massage
Ice Massage
-
Stationary Cycling
Stationary Cycling
Aerobic Exercise – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as “any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature.” Aerobic means in the presence of oxygen. In other words, your body is burning its fuel (glucose) in the presence of oxygen. It is performed at less than 85% of your maximum heart rate. An aerobically fit individual can work longer, more vigorously and achieve a quicker recovery at the end of the aerobic session. Jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobics classes, and rowing are examples of aerobic exercise.
-
Proprioception Exercises
Proprioception Exercises
Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where it is in space. For example, close your eyes and touch your nose. How were you able to move your finger to your nose without seeing it? Proprioception exercises are used to help retrain your sensory system after the nerves have been damaged during a musculoskeletal injury. Your body uses its sensory system in the joints and muscles to know how they are moving. Balance and coordination both depend on your body’s proprioceptive skills.
-
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Therapeutic massage of body tissue, performed with the hands. Soft tissue mobilization may be used for muscle relaxation, to decrease swelling, to decrease scar tissue adhesions, and for pain relief.
-
Ultrasound
Ultrasound
-
Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
Exercise designed to lengthen a muscle(s) or soft tissue. Stretching exercises are usually prescribed to improve the flexibility of muscles that have tightened due to disuse or in compensation to pain, spasm or immobilization.
Possible Treatment Goals
- Improve Balance
- Improve ability to bear weight/stand on the leg(s)
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Improve Proprioception
- Improve Range of Motion
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
Additional Resources
-
Fractures (Broken Bones)
Fractures may involve the outside or inside of the leg. The signs and symptoms of fractures are pain, swelling and bony deformities. X-rays are essential and rapid “reduction” (setting the bones close together for healing) is necessary. In extreme cases, open surgery is necessary to reduce the fracture. Often pins, plates and screws are used to maintain the reduction.
Treatments
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
Isometric Exercise
An isometric exercise is a muscle contraction without joint movement. Isometrics are usually prescribed for gentle nerve and muscle reeducation. They are typically used for strengthening with arthritis patients, post-surgical patients, or as an introductory muscle strengthening exercise. A usual progression is from isometrics to active and resistive exercises that involve joint movement.
Physical Agents
Possible Treatments
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Heat Pack
- Ultrasound
Goals
- Improve Balance
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Decrease Nerve Compression
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Range of Motion
- Improve Safety
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Wound Healing
-
Stress Fractures
These fractures result from repetitive submaximal loads applied to the foot, ankle, leg; they are usually the result of overuse (in athletes, over-training). They are common in long distance runners and female athletes.
Common stress fracture sites include the lower leg (in runners), calcaneus, talus, metatarsals in distance runners, and the big toe.
Pain and point tenderness, often relieved by rest, is typical. X-rays do not always show the fracture. Bone scans and MRI may be useful.
Most heal with rest, immobilization and cross training. Avoid high-impact workouts, and wear good shoes.
Treatments
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
Isometric Exercise
An isometric exercise is a muscle contraction without joint movement. Isometrics are usually prescribed for gentle nerve and muscle reeducation. They are typically used for strengthening with arthritis patients, post-surgical patients, or as an introductory muscle strengthening exercise. A usual progression is from isometrics to active and resistive exercises that involve joint movement.
Physical Agents
Possible Treatments
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Heat Pack
- Ultrasound
Goals
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Safety
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
Resources
-
Gastrocnemius/Calf Muscle Strain
This injury is commonly the result of quick sprints while running. With a muscle strain, there is localized tenderness or a “bulge” more commonly at the inner region of the back of the leg. The pain is aggravated by walking, descending stairs, or raising the heel of the affected leg off the ground.
Treatments
Aerobic/Endurance Exercise
Stationary cycling is usually prescribed for improving the strength and/or range of motion of the hips, knees, ankles as well as cardio-vascular endurance.
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage as seen in the above video.
Electrotherapeutic Modalities
Possible Treatments
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Iontophoresis
Gait or Walking Training
The analysis of walking problems by visually examining the interaction of the low back and the joints of the thighs, legs, and feet during the various stages of walking, including, initial contact, loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre swing, mid swing, and terminal swing. Many back, thigh, leg, ankle, and foot problems may be caused by or manifest themselves in subtle gait abnormalities.
Isotonics
Ankle Active Range of Motion
Ankle Joint Mobilization
Ankle Passive Range of Motion
Ankle Resistive Range of Motion
Ice Massage
Stationary Cycling
Aerobic Exercise – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as “any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature.” Aerobic means in the presence of oxygen. In other words, your body is burning its fuel (glucose) in the presence of oxygen. It is performed at less than 85% of your maximum heart rate. An aerobically fit individual can work longer, more vigorously and achieve a quicker recovery at the end of the aerobic session. Jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobics classes, and rowing are examples of aerobic exercise.
Proprioception Exercises
Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where it is in space. For example, close your eyes and touch your nose. How were you able to move your finger to your nose without seeing it? Proprioception exercises are used to help retrain your sensory system after the nerves have been damaged during a musculoskeletal injury. Your body uses its sensory system in the joints and muscles to know how they are moving. Balance and coordination both depend on your body’s proprioceptive skills.
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Therapeutic massage of body tissue, performed with the hands. Soft tissue mobilization may be used for muscle relaxation, to decrease swelling, to decrease scar tissue adhesions, and for pain relief.
Ultrasound
Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
Exercise designed to lengthen a muscle(s) or soft tissue. Stretching exercises are usually prescribed to improve the flexibility of muscles that have tightened due to disuse or in compensation to pain, spasm or immobilization.
Goals
- Improve Balance
- Improve ability to bear weight/stand on the leg(s)
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Improve Proprioception
- Improve Range of Motion
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
Resources