Leg pain that comes on with walking and forces you to stop is one of the most common complaints in sports and exercise medicine, particularly in older patients. The medical term for this pattern of leg pain is claudication. While many people have heard of it in the context of blocked arteries, there are, in [...]
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, or PAES, is an uncommon but important cause of exercise-leg pain in young individuals. It occurs when the popliteal artery becomes compressed by surrounding muscles or tendons behind the knee, particularly during exercise. If left undiagnosed, this repeated compression can lead to popliteal artery occlusion, damage, or thrombosis. Because symptoms [...]
Many runners find themselves asking, "Why do my calves hurt when I run?" Calf pain during or after running can be frustrating, and it's not always a simple issue with the muscles. Possible causes include muscle tears, lower limb stress fractures, nerve trapping, and blood vessel narrowing. This blog outlines the most common and [...]
Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment is a relatively uncommon cause of outer leg pain. It is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, because its symptoms can mimic more common conditions like shin splints, exertional compartment syndrome, lower leg tendonitis or nerve impingement from the spine. This blog explains the anatomy, causes, differential diagnosis, clinical assessment, and treatment [...]
Iliac artery endofibrosis is a rare but significant condition affecting endurance runners and cyclists. This vascular disorder, often associated with repetitive strain and high-intensity exercise, can compromise blood flow to the legs, causing pain and reduced performance. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is essential for athletes aiming to maintain peak performance and [...]
Unexplained muscle pain, cramping and tiredness in active people can be due to many conditions that affect energy production, such as anaemia, diabetes or hormone abnormalities. One rare muscle condition that affects physical performance is McArdle's disease. What is McArdle's disease, how do we diagnose it, and what are the management strategies? What is [...]
Pain below the kneecap can be caused by many things, such as patellofemoral pain, knee arthritis, and tendonitis. A less common cause of knee pain is saphenous entrapment close to the knee, which can cause significant knee discomfort and reduced mobility. What causes saphenous nerve pain, and how can it be treated? What is [...]
When it comes to runners and athletes, two of the more common conditions causing shin pain are stress fractures and shin splints. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two conditions. So, here's a guide on how we determine shin splints vs stress fractures, along with tips on how to [...]
The soleus muscle is a large and powerful deep muscle in the calf. It plays a vital role in everyday activities such as walking and running. Some people have an extra soleus muscle in the lower part of the calf called an accessory soleus muscle. Sometimes, this accessory muscle causes problems and may cause [...]
Multiple nerves supply the front, sides and back of the foot. These nerves can be pinched by joints, muscles and tendons within the foot, causing pain, numbness, and pins and needles. What are the most common causes of a pinched nerve in the foot, and how do we manage these conditions? Common causes of [...]
