Here are some topics, discussions and debates in the world of Sports Medicine.
Sports and Exercise Medicine professionals see a variety of injuries and disorders. What we learn from treating athletes also helps us to treat and improve the quality of life for many active individuals.
Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Pain: An Option When Injections Fail
Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis is one of the most common problems we see. Most people improve with exercise, weight management, and injections into the knee. [...]
Ehlers-Danlos and Joint Pain: What Patients and Clinicians Need to Know
If you've been told you have hypermobile joints, or you have widespread joint pain that no one has fully explained, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may be worth considering. [...]
Peptides for Healing Tendons: What the Evidence Actually Says
Peptides for injury have become one of the most common topics I'm asked about in the clinic. Patients arrive having read about BPC-157, TB-500, or growth [...]
Neurogenic vs Vascular Claudication: Telling Leg Pain Apart
Leg pain that comes on with walking and forces you to stop is one of the commonest complaints in sports and exercise medicine, especially in older [...]
Bursitis of the Big Toe: What should you do?
Adventitial bursitis is a condition in which a bursa develops in response to repeated pressure on a bony prominence. Unlike normal anatomical bursae, which are present [...]
Mucoid Degeneration of the ACL and ACL Cysts
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key stabilising structure in the knee. ACL tears are well recognised in sport, but a less common — and [...]
PAES: A Cause of Calf Pain while Running
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, or PAES, is an uncommon but important cause of exertional leg pain in young people. It occurs when the popliteal artery is [...]
The Dreaded Black Line: A High-Risk Stress Fracture of the Tibia
An anterior tibial stress fracture is one of the most serious stress fractures in runners and jumping athletes. It occurs along the front (anterior cortex) of [...]
Frozen Hip (Adhesive Capsulitis of the Hip): Symptoms and Treatment
Frozen hip is an uncommon but important cause of persistent hip pain and stiffness. Medically, it's known as adhesive capsulitis of the hip, and it's similar [...]
Spinal Compression Fracture: How to Treat?
A spinal compression fracture happens when one of the vertebrae — the small bones that make up the spine — collapses or breaks. It's most often [...]
AVM of the Leg: A Rare Vascular Cause of Leg Pain and Swelling
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the leg is an uncommon but important cause of leg pain and swelling. Because they can resemble an ordinary sports injury, [...]
Atypical Femoral Fracture: Bisphosphonates and Fractures
Bisphosphonates are widely prescribed to strengthen bone and prevent fractures in conditions such as osteoporosis, and they substantially reduce the risk of hip, spine, and other [...]
Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome (AIN Palsy)
Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome — often called AIN palsy — is a rare but important cause of forearm and hand weakness. It typically affects athletes, manual [...]
Diabetes and Joint Pain: Understanding the Connection
Diabetes affects far more than blood sugar. Over time, it can affect the joints, tendons, and bones — so joint pain is common in people with [...]
Shoulder Dislocation and Nerve Damage: What to Do
Sometimes a shoulder dislocation and nerve damage occur together, which can significantly affect recovery and function. Recognising and managing the nerve injury is crucial for a [...]
Haemochromatosis and Joint Pain: What You Need to Know
Haemochromatosis arthritis is a common but often under-recognised complication of haemochromatosis — a genetic condition where the body absorbs and stores too much iron. Excess iron [...]
Musculocutaneous Nerve Damage: How to Spot It
Musculocutaneous nerve damage is an uncommon but important cause of arm weakness and altered sensation. In sport, it's usually related to trauma, overstretching, or entrapment of [...]
Radial Nerve Entrapment: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The radial nerve runs the length of the arm, powering the muscles that straighten the wrist and fingers and carrying sensation to the back of the [...]
Guyon’s Canal Syndrome: Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Wrist
Several conditions cause hand pain, weakness, or numbness, but one important diagnosis to consider is Guyon's canal syndrome. This occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed [...]
Accessory Nerve Damage: What Can We Do about it?
The spinal accessory nerve powers the trapezius, a major muscle that stabilises the shoulder blade. When it's injured, the shoulder droops, the shoulder blade wings out, [...]
Ilioinguinal Nerve Pain: A Cause of Groin Pain in Athletes
Groin pain is common in athletes, especially in sports involving twisting, sprinting, or kicking. Muscle strains and hip joint injuries are the usual suspects — but [...]
Genitofemoral Neuralgia in Athletes: How to Manage
Groin pain is common in athletes, but it isn't always a muscle strain or hip injury. One important, often overlooked cause is genitofemoral nerve pain. When [...]
Pudendal Neuralgia: How to Diagnose
Chronic pelvic pain is hard to diagnose and manage, especially in athletes whose sport involves prolonged sitting, cycling, or repetitive hip movement. One important but often [...]
Tibial Nerve Entrapment: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tibial nerve entrapment — better known as tarsal tunnel syndrome — is a compression of the main nerve to the sole, as it passes behind the [...]
Femoral Nerve Entrapment: A Cause of Thigh Pain in Athletes
Groin, thigh, and knee pain are common complaints in athletes. Muscle strains, hip joint injuries, and overuse are the usual causes — but a less well-known [...]
Anterior Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Deep Peroneal Nerve Entrapment
Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome, also called deep peroneal nerve entrapment, s an uncommon form of nerve entrapment at the top of the foot. It's caused by [...]
Obturator Nerve Pain: A Rare Cause of Groin Pain in Athletes
Groin pain is common in athletes, especially in sports involving sprinting, sudden changes of direction, or kicking. Muscle strains are the usual cause, but obturator nerve [...]
Jogger’s Foot: Medial Plantar Nerve Entrapment
Jogger's foot is a nerve entrapment that causes pain and altered sensation in the arch and inner sole. It's caused by compression of the medial plantar [...]
Long thoracic nerve palsy: A Cause of a Winged Scapula
The long thoracic nerve supplies the serratus anterior — the muscle that holds the shoulder blade flat against the chest wall. When the nerve is damaged, [...]
Suprascapular Nerve Compression: How to Diagnose and Manage
Shoulder pain is one of the most common problems among athletes, particularly those involved in overhead activities. While rotator cuff tendon and labral tears are well [...]
Lacertus Fibrosis Syndrome: A Commonly Missed Cause of Hand Weakness
Lacertus syndrome is a compression of the median nerve at the elbow, causing hand weakness, fatigue, and forearm pain. We often refer to it as proximal [...]
Little League Shoulder: A Growth-Plate Injury in Young Throwers
Shoulder pain in a young athlete can worry parents and coaches. One increasingly recognised cause is little league shoulder — a growth-plate injury also known as [...]
Management of Rhabdomyolysis: Symptoms and Strategies
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious but often under-recognised condition that can affect athletes after extreme exercise, heat stress, or muscle injury. Understanding its symptoms, risks, and management [...]
LCL Injury: Diagnosing and Treating a Lateral Collateral Ligament Tear
A lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury of the knee is less common than an injury to the medial ligament — but it can be just as [...]
Gymnast’s Wrist: How to Manage Distal Radial Epiphysitis
Wrist pain is a common complaint in young gymnasts, because of the high-impact forces the sport places through the hands. One specific overuse injury in this [...]
Dorsal Wrist Impingement Syndrome: Diagnosis and Care
Pain at the back of the wrist is common, affecting both athletes and office workers. One often under-recognised cause is dorsal wrist impingement syndrome. It occurs [...]
Advanced Ultrasound Injection Course with Sportdoctorlondon
Ultrasound-guided injections are now an essential part of modern musculoskeletal (MSK) practice. For doctors, physiotherapists, and advanced practitioners who already have basic ultrasound skills, the next [...]
Cluneal Nerve Entrapment: A Hidden Cause of Buttock Pain
Buttock pain is common. We often attribute it to tendonitis, sciatica, or sacroiliac joint degeneration — but one under-recognised cause is cluneal nerve entrapment. In people [...]
Calf Pain While Running: What Are the Possible Causes?
Calf Pain While Running: What Are the Possible Causes? Many runners ask, "Why do my calves hurt when I run?" Calf pain while running can be [...]
Achilles Tendonitis and Statins: Do Statins Cause Tendon Problems?
Statins are widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications with clear benefits for the heart, but they can occasionally cause side effects, including musculoskeletal pain. One link gaining increasing [...]
Statin-Induced Myopathy: Statins and Sore Muscles
Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. They're highly [...]
Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip: How to Treat It
Transient osteoporosis of the hip is a significant cause of acute hip pain. It most frequently affects middle-aged men and women in late pregnancy. Also known [...]
Trigger Finger Percutaneous Release: How to Do It?
Trigger finger is a common condition in which a finger gets stuck in a bent position and then suddenly straightens with a snap. It results from [...]
Stress Fracture of the Pelvis: How to Manage
A pelvic stress fracture is a relatively common cause of hip, groin, or buttock pain in active individuals, particularly in endurance runners. While stress fractures of [...]
Hydrodissection Median Nerve: When to Do It
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common nerve compression caused by entrapment of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Symptoms [...]
Snapping Biceps Femoris Tendon: Why It Happens and How to Treat It
A snapping biceps femoris tendon is a rare cause of discomfort on the outer side of the knee, particularly in active people. It refers to a [...]
Biceps femoris tendinitis: How do you manage it?
Biceps femoris tendonitis (also called biceps femoris tendinitis) is an overuse injury that affects the lower portion of the biceps femoris tendon, located near the outside [...]
Lump inside sole of foot: Is it Plantar fibroma?
Feeling a lump inside the sole of your foot can be worrying, especially if it hurts when you walk. The most common cause of a lump [...]
Freiberg’s Disease: How to Manage
Freiberg's disease, also known as Freiberg disease, affects the second metatarsal head in the forefoot. It is classified as osteochondrosis, a disorder in which the blood supply [...]
Superficial Peroneal Nerve Injury: How to Diagnose
Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment is a relatively uncommon cause of outer leg pain. It's often misdiagnosed or overlooked because its symptoms can mimic more common conditions [...]
Lump on Wrist: What Could it Be?
Noticing a lump on wrist can be concerning, particularly if it causes pain. While most wrist lumps are benign and painless, some may cause discomfort or [...]
Achilles Paratenonitis: How to Manage It
Achilles paratenonitis (also known as Achilles paratendinitis) is a common but often under-recognised cause of acute Achilles pain. Unlike Achilles tendinopathy, which involves swelling of the [...]
Heel pain After Running: What are the Possible Causes
Heel Pain After Running: What Are the Possible Causes? Heel pain after running troubles recreational and competitive runners alike, and for some it becomes persistent. As [...]
Red Marrow Reconversion on MRI: What Does It Mean?
If your MRI report mentions red marrow reconversion, it's natural to feel worried — the term sounds serious. But here's the reassuring headline: in most people, [...]
My Thumb Hurts from a Mouse: Find Out the Possible Causes
Many people spend hours each day using a computer mouse. It's essential for both work and leisure, but repetitive mouse use can lead to thumb pain [...]
Wartenberg’s syndrome: How to Diagnose
Wartenberg's syndrome is an uncommon but important condition to recognise, particularly in sports medicine. It's caused by injury to the superficial branch of the radial nerve, [...]
Quadriceps tendon tear: What to do
A quadriceps tendon tear is a significant injury to the large tendon connecting the quadriceps muscle to the top of the kneecap. This tendon is vital [...]
Multiple Myeloma Screen: When to Test for Bone Cancer
We often see people with persistent musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, or recurrent injuries. Usually, these come from overuse or minor trauma. But occasionally symptoms don't follow the [...]
Tendonitis in Gluteus Maximus: An Overlooked Cause of Buttock Pain
Gluteus maximus tendonitis is an uncommon but often overlooked cause of buttock pain, particularly in active people. The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the [...]
Rectus Femoris Tendonitis: A Cause of Anterior Hip Pain
Rectus femoris tendonitis is an overlooked cause of pain at the front of the hip and groin. It's an overuse injury of the rectus femoris tendon, [...]
Botox for Knee Pain: Easing IT Band Friction Syndrome
IT band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is one of the most common causes of pain on the outside of the knee, particularly in runners. We usually manage [...]
Radial head fracture: How to Manage
A radial head fracture is the commonest fracture around the elbow. It usually happens after a fall onto an outstretched hand, and most are minor and [...]
Why Does My Cuboid Bone Hurt?
Pain over the cuboid — the bone on the outer side of the midfoot — is a common but often-misdiagnosed cause of lateral foot pain. The [...]
Rheumatoid Panel Test: How Useful is it?
Inflammatory arthritis is a group of autoimmune conditions characterised by joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness — for example, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis. Early [...]
Synovial Chondromatosis: A Rare Cause of Joint Pain and Swelling
Joint pain and swelling are common in active people, usually due to cartilage damage or osteoarthritis. Occasionally, though, they come from a growth in the synovial [...]
Anti Gravity Treadmill: How to Use It for Injuries
Recovering from an injury can be frustrating, particularly for athletes and active individuals who want to maintain fitness while allowing their bodies to heal. An innovative [...]
Sports Hernia: A cause of Persistent Groin Pain
Groin pain is common in sporty people and athletes, with causes ranging from osteitis pubis and tendonitis to stress fractures, inguinal hernia, and hip impingement. One [...]
Elbow Medial Collateral Ligament Tear
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the elbow, also known as the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), is essential for stabilising the inside of the elbow. An [...]
Kienbock’s disease: Beware of Avascular Necrosis of the Lunate
Kienbock's disease is a rare but serious condition affecting the wrist, characterised by bone death (avascular necrosis) of the lunate bone. The lunate is a crucial [...]
Osteoid Osteoma: The Great Mimicker
Osteoid osteoma is a bone tumour that typically affects adolescent athletes. It causes small bone growths that produce intense pain, especially at night. Although benign, it [...]
OCD of the Elbow: Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow affects the cartilage and bone of the elbow joint, most often in young throwing athletes and gymnasts. It typically affects [...]
Why Does My Elbow Pop and Should I Worry?
Elbow popping or cracking is a common concern in active people. It can happen with or without pain, and the causes range from simple joint mechanics [...]
Radial Collateral Ligament Tear: A Possible Cause of Persistent Tennis Elbow
A radial collateral ligament tear of the elbow is a relatively uncommon but significant injury, particularly in racquet-sports players and weightlifters. The radial collateral ligament is [...]
Gluteus Muscle Sprain: How to Manage
A gluteus muscle pull, also known as a gluteal strain, is a common injury that affects active individuals. The gluteal muscles—the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus—are [...]
Spring Ligament Sprain: How to Manage It
The spring ligament, also known as the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, is a key structure supporting the foot's medial arch. It connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to [...]
Forearm Splints: Shin Splints in the Forearm
Forearm splints are a lesser-known overuse injury — essentially the forearm's version of shin splints. They cause aching pain in the forearm from repetitive weight-bearing and [...]
Intersection Syndrome of the Wrist: What Should You Do?
Intersection syndrome is an overuse injury that affects the lower forearm. It causes pain and inflammation due to friction between the muscles and tendons. This condition [...]
Tenex Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
Tendonitis is a common condition that affects the upper and lower body. While most cases of tendonitis will improve with conservative measures, such as modified activity [...]
Osteochondritis Dissecans Knee: A Sports Doctor’s Perspective
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition affecting the cartilage of joints, more commonly in the knee. It affects active teenagers and young adults, leading to pain [...]
Posterolateral Knee Pain: Exploring the Causes
Posterolateral knee pain can be a challenging problem for active people. The outside corner of the knee is complex, made up of multiple ligaments, tendons, and [...]
Rib Stress Fracture: A Cause of Chest Pain in Athletes
Rib stress fractures are relatively uncommon but important overuse injuries in athletes — particularly in sports involving repetitive movement, such as rowing and throwing. Recognising them [...]
Kager’s Fat Pad Oedema: What Does It Mean?
Kager's fat pad, also known as the pre-Achilles fat pad, is an important structure at the back of the ankle. Sometimes it's a direct source of [...]
Elbow Stress Fracture: How to treat
While relatively uncommon, elbow stress fractures can significantly impact athletes and individuals involved in repetitive arm movements. The most common type is olecranon stress fracture. This [...]
Stress Fracture Wrist: How do we Diagnose and Treat it
A wrist stress fracture is uncommon but can significantly impact athletes and active people. These injuries occur when repetitive stress exceeds the bone's ability to repair [...]
Patella Stress Fracture: A Rare Cause of Knee Pain in Athletes
Patellar stress fractures are rare but important injuries to recognise, particularly in athletes and physically active people. They're often confused with other causes of anterior knee [...]
SC Joint Arthritis: Understanding Causes and Management
The sternoclavicular (SC) joint, where the clavicle meets the sternum, plays a vital role in shoulder movement and upper body stability. Arthritis of this joint can [...]
Bump on the side of my foot: possible causes
Finding a bump on the side of your foot can be alarming, especially if it causes discomfort or interferes with daily activities. Most lumps are benign, [...]
STT Arthritis: A Common Cause of Wrist Pain
Scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) joint arthritis affects the tiny joint at the base of the wrist, just below the thumb. It's less common than other wrist conditions, but [...]
Elbow Plica Syndrome: A Condition Often Confused with Tennis Elbow
Elbow plica syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition that can cause significant discomfort and functional limitations, particularly in individuals who engage in repetitive arm movements. This [...]
Subscapularis tendon tear: cause of front shoulder pain
The subscapularis tendon is a vital part of the rotator cuff, driving the shoulder movements used in overhead sports such as swimming, tennis, and other racquet [...]
EMG test: Assessing Nerve and Muscle Health
If your doctor has referred you for an EMG test, you might feel unsure about what it involves or why your doctor recommended it. This blog [...]
Inner ankle pain: Causes and How to Make a Diagnosis
Inner ankle pain — also called medial ankle pain — is common in active people and athletes. The inner ankle is a complex region of bones, [...]
Inner thigh pain: Possible Causes and How to Find a Diagnosis
Inner thigh pain is a common presentation in active individuals. This region contains the inner thigh muscles, tendons, and bone structures that play a critical role [...]
Iliac Artery Endofibrosis: A Rare Cause of Lower leg Pain
Iliac artery endofibrosis (IAE) is a rare but significant condition affecting endurance cyclists and runners. This vascular disorder — associated with repetitive strain and high-intensity exercise [...]
PVNS (Pigmented Villonodular synovitis): What to Know
Recurrent joint pain and swelling usually result from common conditions such as osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis, such as gout. One rare cause of recurrent joint swelling [...]
McArdle’s Disease: A Rare Cause of Muscle Pain During Exercise
Unexplained muscle pain, cramping, and tiredness in active people can stem from many conditions that affect energy production — anaemia, diabetes, or hormone abnormalities, among them. [...]
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy for Tendonitis
Chronic tendonitis can significantly impact daily life and athletic performance. When simple treatments such as modified activity strengthening exercises and shockwave therapy fail, procedures like percutaneous [...]
Saphenous Nerve Pain: How to Treat
Pain below the kneecap has many causes — patellofemoral pain, knee arthritis, and tendonitis among them. A less common cause is saphenous nerve entrapment near the [...]
Symptoms of Nerve Damage after Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains are common injuries, often occurring during sports or everyday activities. They're usually associated with ligament damage — but nerve injuries can also occur, leading [...]
Nerve Hydrodissection: An Ultrasound-Guided Treatment for Trapped Nerves
Nerve entrapment from scar tissue, adhesions, or direct trauma causes burning pain in the area innervated by the nerve. Nerve hydrodissection offers an innovative way to [...]
Stress Fracture in Talus: How Do We Manage it?
Stress fractures of the ankle occur in active people — athletes, military recruits, and sportspeople. They're more common in the metatarsal, navicular, and calcaneus bones. A [...]
Shock wave Treatment for Bone Spurs of Heel
Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are common causes of heel pain. For many people suffering from plantar fasciitis, shockwave therapy is an effective treatment to reduce [...]
Shoulder Pain from Weights: Causes and What to Do
For many people, weightlifting is an essential part of their training. But with its wide range of motion, the shoulder is highly susceptible to injury — [...]
Os Acromiale: a Less Common Cause of Shoulder Pain
Os acromiale is a condition that occurs when the acromion, which is part of the shoulder blade, fails to fuse properly, leaving a gap. Usually, this [...]
LIPUS Treatment: Ultrasound for Slow-Healing Stress Fractures
Stress fractures — small cracks in the bone — are common in runners and in people who do repetitive high-impact activities. Rest, modified activity, and strength [...]
Stress Fractures vs Shin Splints
Two of the most common causes of shin pain in runners and athletes are shin splints and stress fractures. The symptoms overlap, so telling them apart [...]
ACP Max: The New Generation of PRP for Arthritis and Tendonitis
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an established injection treatment for arthritis and tendonitis. However, not all PRP systems are equal. The Arthrex ACP Max system delivers [...]
Working Out While Sick: Is It Safe?
When you're unwell, deciding whether to exercise is tricky — start too early, and you can prolong the illness. So what are the risks of working [...]
Proximal Hamstring Tendon Tear: What does it mean?
Proximal hamstring tendon injuries are common, particularly in explosive sports involving sudden bursts of speed. They occur when one or more hamstring tendons at the back [...]
Ciprofloxacin and Tendon Rupture
Ciprofloxacin is a widely prescribed antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class, used for bacterial infections such as urinary, respiratory, and skin infections. Other fluoroquinolones include ofloxacin, levofloxacin, [...]
Accessory Soleus Muscle: A Culprit in Ankle Pain
The soleus muscle is a large, powerful, deep muscle in the calf, vital for everyday activities such as walking and running. Some people have an extra [...]
TRT UK: Addressing Low Testosterone Levels in Men by Dr Alex Vass
Healthy testosterone levels are essential for men's physical, sexual, and psychological health. Low testosterone can lead to various health issues that affect quality of life. With [...]
Mononucleosis and Exercise: When is it Safe to Return to Sport?
Mononucleosis — "mono," or glandular fever — is a viral infection that causes symptoms for weeks or months. Known as the "kissing disease" because it spreads [...]
Can you get cortisone injections after knee replacement?
Knee replacement is a standard operation for knee arthritis. Around 80% of people report good results, but 15–20% have ongoing pain afterwards. We use cortisone injections [...]
How soon after cortisone shot can I have surgery?
Joint replacement is a standard operation for arthritis — the knee most commonly, then the hip and shoulder. These operations are usually reserved for severe arthritis [...]
How Low Iron Affects Your Running Performance
Low iron levels are common among athletes, causing fatigue, lethargy, and reduced performance. Being aware of low iron and running is key to staying active. So [...]
Are Durolane Side Effects Really More Severe?
We use hyaluronic acid injections to reduce arthritis pain, and Durolane is one of the most widely used. Some reports suggest Durolane has more side effects [...]
Greater Tuberosity Humerus Fractures: What should you do?
Falls onto the shoulder can damage various parts of the shoulder joint, rotator cuff tendons, ligaments, and bones. A more common bone break after a fall [...]
Quadriceps Tear: Causes, Treatment, and Recovery
Quadriceps muscle tears occur frequently among runners and other athletes. They cause thigh pain and reduced function, often stopping people from enjoying sport. So what is [...]
Fibular Head Pain: A Hidden Cause of Pain Outside the Knee
The proximal tibiofibular joint is a less common source of pain on the outside of the knee. It's easily overlooked because the knee joint and tendons [...]
Nerve Pain in Thigh: How Do We Treat It?
Burning pain in the thigh is common in active people. Burning pain usually comes from the nervous system — neurogenic pain. What causes nerve pain in [...]
The Importance of Vitamin D for Athletes: A Comprehensive Guide
Over the last decade, research into the health benefits of vitamin D has surged — and with it, our understanding of vitamin D in athletes and [...]
Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis: Does It Work?
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and the most commonly injured. Exercise therapy is the most effective treatment for Achilles tendonitis, but [...]
PRP for Tendonitis: Exploring the Optimal Formula
Tendons attach muscles to bones, allowing movement by directing high forces from the muscle to the bone. Tendon disease, also known as tendonitis, develops due to [...]
DRUJ Injury and DRUJ Arthritis: A Cause of Ulnar Wrist Pain
Sporting people often complain of pain on the little finger (ulnar) side of the wrist. There are many causes of ulnar wrist pain, but one of [...]
ECU Tendonitis: The Common Wrist Injury Explained
The ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris) tendon is essential in stabilising the ulnar (little-finger) side of the wrist. It can be injured in active people and athletes, [...]
Achilles tendonitis in runners: how to manage it
Running builds a stronger heart, lungs, and bones — but it loads the tendons hard, and the Achilles is especially vulnerable. Achilles tendonitis in runners is [...]
Knot of Henry Pain: A Lesser-Known Cause of Mid-Foot Pain
Mid-foot pain is a common complaint in long-distance runners. One less common cause is the Knot of Henry pain — inflammation where two foot tendons cross [...]
Supplements for Tendonitis: Do They Really Work?
Tendonitis is a common tendon problem that causes pain with activity. We know tendons respond to exercise therapy, and we sometimes add ibuprofen, GTN patches, shockwave, [...]
Cortisone Injection and Diabetes: What You Should Know
Cortisone injections treat many joint and tendon conditions, but people with diabetes are more prone to side effects and need to take extra care. So, with [...]
PRP Injection for Shoulder Pain: What You Need to Know
Shoulder pain is common among active individuals. Common causes of shoulder pain include rotator cuff tendinitis, frozen shoulder, and shoulder joint arthritis. Doctors have recently used [...]
PRP Injection Recovery Time: Before-and-After Tips for the Best Result
We use PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections for arthritis and tendonitis. Because PRP comes from your own blood, what you do before and after the injection can [...]
What Should I Do After Knee Gel Injections?
Hyaluronic acid (gel) injections are a common treatment for knee arthritis. Many things affect how well they work — and one of the most important is [...]
Rest After a Cortisone Injection: Is it necessary
A cortisone shot offers quick pain relief for joint and tendon problems. How we manage you afterwards depends on what was injected and how active you [...]
How Long Does a Cortisone Shot Last? And How to Make It Last Longer
We use cortisone injections to relieve pain from arthritis and tendonitis — directing cortisone to a joint or tendon reduces inflammation and improves pain and function. [...]
Dorsal Scapular Nerve Entrapment: What You Need to Know
Upper-to-mid-back or shoulder blade pain is a common reason people see a sports doctor or physiotherapist. Common causes include a back muscle strain, rib pain, and [...]
Ankle Arthrofibrosis: What You Need to Know
Ankle arthrofibrosis — scar tissue in the ankle — is common after injury, surgery, or prolonged immobilisation. It typically causes generalised ankle pain and stiffness. So [...]
Barbotage Shoulder Explained
Calcification in the rotator cuff tendons commonly causes severe shoulder pain. When simple treatments fail, the barbotage procedure — also called shoulder lavage or aspiration — [...]
Plantar Plate Tear: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
A torn plantar plate is a common cause of toe pain in the lesser toes (the 2nd to 5th). A plate tear often causes pain and [...]
Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES)
Abdominal wall pain is a frequent cause of unexplained "tummy" pain — and the most common cause is anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, or ACNES. It's [...]
Tennis Shoulder Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Shoulder pain associated with tennis is common, with some studies suggesting that up to 50% of tennis players experience shoulder pain. What are the possible causes [...]
When to Consider a Cortisone Shot for a Sprained Ankle
An ankle sprain or twist leads to torn ligaments and pain and swelling in the ankle. Generally, most ankle sprains settle with physiotherapy. However, an ankle [...]
Posterior Ankle Impingement: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Posterior ankle impingement causes pain at the back of the ankle when pointing the foot downwards, into plantarflexion. It's easily confused with Achilles tendon pain. So [...]
Pinched Nerve in Foot: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
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, [...]
Stress Fracture of the Femur: How to diagnose
A common injury in endurance runners and military recruits is bone stress. This injury occurs when overload from excessive activity, such as running, exceeds the bone's [...]
Sacral Stress Fracture in Runners
A sacral stress fracture is a common cause of lower back or buttock pain in runners — and one that's frequently confused with sacroiliac joint or [...]
Dead Leg: What It Is and How to Treat It
A dead leg — also called a quadriceps contusion or corked thigh — is a common injury in contact sports such as rugby, football, and basketball. [...]
Duloxetine: A Promising Solution for Osteoarthritis
Duloxetine is a prescription-only medication first used to treat depression. But we also use duloxetine for chronic pain, including musculoskeletal pain such as osteoarthritis. So what's [...]
Soleus Muscle Strain: A Common Cause of Calf Pain
A soleus muscle strain is a common but frequently unrecognised cause of calf pain in active people. Even though the soleus covers a large area of [...]
Sural Nerve Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Sural nerve pain is debilitating pain in the lower outer calf and foot. Usually, it comes from trauma to, or entrapment of, the sural nerve as [...]
Deep Gluteal Pain Syndrome: Trapping the Sciatic Nerve in the Buttock
Buttock pain is common in runners and active people. It has many causes, including referred pain from the spine, sacroiliac joint arthritis, and sciatica. One cause [...]
What is a Sprain of the Deltoid Ligament and How Do We Manage It?
When you sprain your ankle, you usually damage the ligaments on the outside. In some cases, though, the injury is on the inside of the ankle, [...]
How to Treat a Plantar Fascia Tear: Expert Advice
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain — inflammation of the fibrous band (the plantar fascia) connecting the heel to the toes, leading [...]
Transition from Walking Boot to Shoe: Tips and Guidelines
We use walking boots to treat ankle and foot injuries, such as stress fractures — the boot allows the injury to heal. But the transition from [...]
Radial tunnel syndrome: an uncommon cause of forearm pain
Tennis elbow — extensor tendonitis of the elbow — is a common overuse injury in active people. But not all pain on the outside of the [...]
Tendon Neuroplastic Training: Maximising Exercise for Tendonitis
Tendonitis affects upper- and lower-limb tendons — tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, patellar tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, and high hamstring tendonitis, among them. Exercise therapy is the most [...]
Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart: Finding the Cause of Your Pain
Shoulder pain arises from damage to local structures in the shoulder, such as joints, tendons and ligaments or referred from the neck or the abdomen. A [...]
Hip Pain Location Diagram: A Visual Guide to Pinpoint Hip Pain
How to Use This Hip Pain Location Diagram Pain location is a valuable starting point, but it is only one piece of the diagnostic picture. Several [...]
Foot Pain Chart: Identifying the Source of Your Discomfort
Effective foot pain management involves getting the proper diagnosis and starting the correct treatment early. One of the simplest ways to reach the right diagnosis is [...]
Shoulder Blade Pain: What Are the Most Common Causes?
The shoulder blade, or scapula, is a triangular bone in the mid-back. Causes of shoulder blade pain range from common problems such as neck strains and [...]
Understanding Knee Tendon Injuries: Causes and Management
The knee is complex consisting of a hinge joint surrounded by tendons at the front, sides, and back. So is it any wonder we are prone [...]
Do Cortisone Shots Cause Weight Gain?
We use corticosteroids for many conditions — allergies, autoimmune and skin disorders, and musculoskeletal problems — given as tablets, sprays, or injections. Their side effects depend [...]
Knee Aspiration: Effective Drainage for Fluid in the Knee
Fluid on the knee — a knee effusion, or "water on the knee" — is a painful build-up of fluid in and around the knee joint. [...]
Gout in the Knee: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Gout is a common disease, mainly affecting middle-aged men. Traditionally, it presents as a painful, swollen big toe — but gout can affect other joints too, [...]
Pellegrini-Stieda Lesion: MCL Calcification After Knee Injury
Medial collateral ligament tears cause pain and swelling on the inside of the knee. Most MCL injuries settle with a period of bracing and rehab. But [...]
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy: Answers to Your FAQs
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, also known as PRP injection, is a relatively new treatment for common musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and tendonitis. But many practitioners offer different [...]
Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture of the Knee (SONK): How to Manage It
Most people with knee arthritis or meniscal tears get pain during an arthritis flare. But knee pain in people with arthritis is sometimes due to bone [...]
Anterior Tibialis Tendonitis: Causes and Treatment
The tibialis anterior tendon is a large tendon that starts at the front of the shin, crosses the ankle, and attaches to the inner mid-foot. It [...]
Ankle Popping and Clicking: Causes and When to Worry
Ankle popping or clicking is exceedingly common and often happens while walking or standing up. Sometimes it comes with other symptoms, such as pain or swelling. [...]
Understanding Footballer’s Ankle: Causes and Treatment
Footballer's ankle, also known as anterior ankle impingement, occurs because bony spurs form at the front of the ankle joint. The spurs can form at the [...]
Osteonecrosis of the Hip (Avascular Necrosis): Causes and Treatment
Osteonecrosis of the hip — also called avascular necrosis, or AVN — occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur (the ball of [...]
Low Hamstring Tendonitis: Pain at the Back of the Knee
Pain in the back of the knee has several causes. One less common cause of posterior knee pain is low hamstring tendonitis — also called distal [...]
Common Causes of Hip Pain from Running Explained
Hip Pain from Running: Common Injuries Explained Running loads the hip hard, and hip pain from running can come from the muscles, tendons, joints, or bones. [...]
What Causes Groin Pain in Men?
Groin pain occurs where the lower abdominal wall and pelvis meet the leg. In men, a muscle strain is the most common acute cause, but many [...]
Arthrosamid: A Promising Treatment for Knee Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It increasingly affects younger people. Treatment options include exercise, weight loss, medication, injections, and knee [...]
Hook of Hamate Fracture: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
The hamate is one of the eight carpal bones of the wrist. Like any bone, the carpal bones can fracture from a fall or acute trauma. [...]
Discoid Lateral Meniscus: How Does It Affect Your Knee?
Meniscal tears are a common cause of knee pain and swelling. The meniscus is a c-shaped cartilage that sits between the knee bones and cushions the [...]
Shoulder Pain at Night: Causes and Simple Remedies
Shoulder pain at night, or when sleeping, can be distressing — anyone who's had it knows how disruptive it is. So what causes shoulder pain at [...]
Pain on the Outer Side of the Knee: Causes and Diagnosis
Pain on the outer side of the knee — lateral knee pain — is common, and pinning down the cause can be challenging. The area contains [...]
Inner Knee Pain: Causes and Diagnosis
Inner knee pain, also called medial knee pain, is common in walkers, runners, and sportspeople. It can come on gradually or suddenly, with or without injury. [...]
Cortisone shot while pregnant: Is it safe?
Pregnancy brings many changes — weight gain, fluid retention, and shifting hormones — that can lead to aches and pains in the joints and tendons. Sometimes [...]
The Power of Durolane Injection for Arthritis Relief
We use a Durolane injection to treat osteoarthritis — the most common form of arthritis. The condition affects the knees, hips, shoulders, thumbs, and other joints. [...]
Shoulder Clicking and Pain: Unraveling the Mystery
Shoulder clicking or popping is common but can be somewhat unsettling. The shoulder is complex, consisting of multiple muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and bursa. So, the [...]
Knee Clicking and Popping: Causes and When to Worry
Knee clicking or popping is common, and it has several possible causes. The first thing to establish is whether the clicking is painful. Clicking with pain [...]
Tarsal Coalition: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
A tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection between two bones at the back of the foot, towards the ankle. This connection creates irregular forces on the [...]
Quadrilateral Space Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Back-of-Shoulder Pain
Pain at the back of the shoulder has many causes, including rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder arthritis, and referred pain from the neck. A rare cause is [...]
Os Peroneum Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Mid-Foot Pain
Pain in the outer part of the midfoot is common among runners and other athletes. One rare but important cause of lateral mid-foot pain is os [...]
Inflammatory Arthritis: Signs, Types, and Tests
An overactive or malfunctioning immune system drives inflammatory arthritis. There are many types, including seropositive and seronegative arthritis. So how do you know whether you have [...]
Diagnosing and Treating Bone Marrow Oedema
Bone marrow oedema is swelling or fluid build-up within the bone marrow. It's usually detected on imaging, particularly MRI. So what is subchondral bone marrow oedema, [...]
Can Osteoarthritis be Reversed? The Truth Unveiled
Arthritis comes in many forms, but the commonest is osteoarthritis — driven by wear and tear and inflammation. If you develop it, the obvious question is [...]
Exploring Runner’s knee: Symptoms and Solutions
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner's knee, causes pain in the front of the knee. We think misalignment of the knee or increased pressure behind [...]
Gluteal Tendon Tears: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The gluteal tendons attach the buttock muscles to the outer hip and can tear, causing pain and weakness on the outside of the hip. Because the [...]
Tennis Leg: How to Recover from a Gastrocnemius Calf Tear
Tennis leg is a strain of one of the calf muscles — the medial head of the gastrocnemius. A calf muscle tear happens when the muscle [...]
Stener Lesion: An In-depth Look at this Thumb Injury
A Stener lesion is a specific and surgically important injury to the thumb. It occurs when the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears completely and is then [...]
Accessory Navicular Bone: How to Manage
Pain on the inside of the ankle may be due to tibialis posterior tendonitis, midfoot arthritis, or a navicular stress fracture. A less common cause of [...]
Ischiofemoral Impingement: A Hidden Cause of Buttock Pain
Buttock pain is complex, with many causes — sciatica, sacroiliac joint arthritis, piriformis syndrome, and hamstring tendonitis among them. A less common cause is ischiofemoral impingement, [...]
Diagnosing Glute Pain: A Comprehensive Guide
Deep buttock pain is common in active people — and notoriously hard to pin down. The anatomy of the buttock is complex, with overlapping muscles, nerves, [...]
Cervical Rib and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) causes symptoms in the arm from pressure on the structures running between the collarbone and the first rib — the thoracic outlet. [...]
Overcoming Osteitis Pubis: Tips for Recovery by Scott Newton
If you're a runner with tightness in the groin or lower tummy, you might have osteitis pubis, or pubic overload. It's also common in change-of-direction sports [...]
Wrist Pop and Pain: Common Causes and Solutions
Wrist pain and popping, or clicking, are common complaints. Wrist injuries with popping usually result from overuse during activity or sport, or from trauma after a [...]
Popliteus Tendinitis: Pain at the Back and Outside of the Knee
Popliteus tendinitis, also known as popliteus tendonitis or tenosynovitis, is a rare cause of pain at the back and outside of the knee. It's poorly understood [...]
Upper Arm Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Upper arm pain is common, and it doesn't always come from the arm itself. The pain can arise from the shoulder, the elbow, or even the [...]
Ultrasound Guided Cortisone Injection in London
Should you have an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection? Most cortisone injections are still done "blind", relying on the doctor knowing the anatomy. Increasingly, doctors guide them with [...]
Sudden Pain in the Shoulder Without Injury: What are the Causes?
It is often difficult to identify the exact cause of sharp shoulder pain, which may result from rotator cuff tendonitis, AC degeneration, or frozen shoulder. This [...]
Having an Ultrasound Guided Injection? Four Questions to Ask First
Injections are essential for treating joints and tendons — commonly cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and PRP. Hitting the target is critical to a good result, and it's [...]
Rib Pain: Causes and How to Manage It
Chest pain is often assumed to be a heart problem. Although a heart attack should always be excluded, a common cause of chest pain is chest [...]
Snapping Elbow Syndrome: Causes and Treatment
Snapping elbow syndrome, also called snapping triceps syndrome, is a rare cause of elbow pain. Because it's uncommon, it's often misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly — and [...]
Sudden Knee Pain Without Injury: What Causes It?
Knee pain is common, and it doesn't always follow an injury. Sometimes knee pain comes on suddenly with no obvious cause — and it can be [...]
Tensor Fasciae Latae Pain (TFL Pain): A Missed Cause of Outer Hip Pain
Hip pain is common in active runners. Pain on the outside of the hip is usually blamed on trochanteric bursitis or gluteus medius tendinopathy — but [...]
Snapping Hip Syndrome: Why Your Hip Clicks and Snaps
Snapping hip syndrome causes a snap or pop in the hip with everyday movement. Sometimes it's painful, but often it's just annoying. So what is snapping [...]
Hip Apophysitis: Traction Apophysitis and Teenage Hip Pain
Hip pain in sporty teens is challenging, with many possible causes. The commonest is hip apophysitis — swelling of a growth plate (a traction apophysis) where [...]
Managing Achilles Tendon Pain After Running
Achilles tendon pain after running is a common complaint among active people, and for some, it becomes persistent. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in [...]
Bipartite Patella: Causes of a Painful Split Kneecap
Pain at the front of the knee has many causes — patellofemoral pain, patellar tendonitis, fat pad impingement, or plica syndrome. One less common cause is [...]
Achilles Tendon Rupture: Surgery or Non-Surgical Treatment?
The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body, attaching the heel to the calf muscles. Because it bears huge forces, it's prone to both swelling [...]
Do you have a fibula stress fracture?
A fibula stress fracture is common in runners and presents with pain and swelling just above the ankle. How can you tell you have one, and [...]
Ultrasound Suprascapular Nerve Block: When to Use it
A suprascapular nerve block is one of several injections used to treat chronic shoulder pain, and ultrasound makes it accurate and straightforward. So how do we [...]
Morel-Lavallee Lesion: How Do We Manage it?
Morel-Lavallee Lesion: How Do We Manage It? A Morel-Lavallee lesion is a common fluid swelling that develops after trauma, with the outer hip and thigh being [...]
The Runner’s Curse: Dealing with High Hamstring Tendinopathy
Chronic high hamstring tendinopathy earns its nickname — the runner's curse — for good reason. This overuse injury plagues runners and players of football, rugby, hockey, [...]
Tendonitis of Triceps: the weightlifter’s elbow
A weightlifter's elbow is often blamed on inflammation of the biceps tendon at the front of the elbow. But the triceps tendon, at the back of [...]
Shoulder SLAP Tear of the Shoulder: What Does It Mean?
A SLAP lesion of the shoulder is a specific type of shoulder labral tear. Generally, problematic SLAP tears occur in young people involved in throwing sports [...]
PCL Tear (Posterior Cruciate Ligament): Causes and Treatment
Most people have heard of an ACL injury, which amateur and elite athletes of all ages commonly suffer. But a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury accounts [...]
Paralabral Cyst of the Shoulder: What It Is and When to Treat It
A paralabral cyst — also called a ganglion cyst — is a fluid-filled collection arising from the shoulder joint. Most cause no symptoms at all, and [...]
How to Manage a Medical Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
An MCL injury usually occurs when a force strikes the outside of the knee. The MCL resists that force, and stretches or tears as a result. [...]
How to Recognise a Midfoot Sprain — and the Lisfranc Injury
A foot sprain is common in sport, but it can be more serious than it looks. The midfoot connects the front of the ankle to the [...]
Myositis Ossificans: A Rare Complication of Muscle Injury
Myositis ossificans is an uncommon complication after a muscle tear or acute trauma, where bone forms within the muscle, causing pain and swelling. So what is [...]
Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (Brachial Neuritis)
Parsonage-Turner syndrome — also called brachial neuritis, brachial neuralgia or neuralgic amyotrophy — is a neurological disorder that causes severe pain followed by lasting damage to [...]
Osgood-Schlatter in Adults: Treatment for the Painful Bump
Osgood-Schlatter disease causes a painful bony lump below the knee, usually in sporty children and adolescents. Pain and swelling generally settle after puberty. But some adults [...]
Diastasis Recti in Men: How to Identify and Address the Condition
Diastasis recti is the abnormal separation of the rectus ("six-pack") muscles of the abdominal wall. It's best known in women after childbirth, but men and athletes [...]
Groin Nerve Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
When people have pain in the lower abdomen where the leg meets the pelvis, we call it groin pain. It can spread backwards to the perineum [...]
Living With Chronic Pain: Understanding and Managing It
Pain is one of the commonest reasons people see a doctor, and over 10 million people in the UK live with chronic pain. Chronic pain often [...]
Hallux Rigidus: What is the best treatment?
Hallux rigidus, also known as big toe arthritis, affects adults — usually between the ages of 30 and 50 — and is typically the result of [...]
Subtalar Joint Injection: When and How We Perform It
The subtalar joint is often forgotten when people present with ankle pain. Yet it's a common site of fractures, sprains, and early arthritis — all of [...]
Understanding Nerve Pain in the Calf
A pinched nerve in the calf can cause pain in the lower leg or foot — especially when imaging is normal. Nerve pain in the calf [...]
What is Pseudogout? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Pseudogout, also called CPPD disease, occurs when calcium crystals form in the joints. These crystals cause joint pain and swelling, and the condition is often misdiagnosed [...]
Burning Pain in the Front of the Thigh: Meralgia Paraesthetica
Meralgia paraesthetica causes burning pain in the outer and front parts of the thigh. It happens when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is trapped as it [...]
CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
CRPS — complex regional pain syndrome — is a condition thought to be due to an abnormality in the way nerves in the limbs and spinal [...]
What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?
A pinched nerve happens when a nerve is compressed by surrounding tissue. It usually causes pain, pins and needles, numbness, and weakness. The nerve can be [...]
Most Common Orthopaedic Procedures: How Good are They?
In general, most common orthopaedic procedures are done for soft tissue pathology (joint, tendon, and nerves). In the UK alone, 25% of all surgeries performed in [...]
Plica Syndrome: What You Should Know and How to Treat It
Synovial tissue lines the knee joint and produces the fluid that lubricates it. A plica is a thickening of this synovial lining that separates the knee [...]
No Cartilage in the Knee: Treatment Options for Knee Cartilage Damage
Knee cartilage wears away as we get older. As the cushioning fails, pain and swelling develop. So what happens when you have no cartilage in your [...]
Second Toe Pain: Causes and Treatments
Pain in the second toe is a common complaint among runners and active people. There are many possible causes of second toe pain, with different treatments, [...]
Collarbone Pain: Causes and Treatment
The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, connects the shoulder with the chest wall (sternum). Collarbone pain can follow an injury, such as a fall, or [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis, also called elbow bursitis, is a collection of fluid in the sac behind the elbow. This condition can appear out of nowhere or triggered [...]
How Long Does It Take for Ibuprofen to Start Working? Find Out Here
Ibuprofen is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain from musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, ligament tears, and tendon inflammation. One of the [...]
Effective Frozen Shoulder Treatments: A Comprehensive Guide
Frozen shoulder is a widespread problem that causes shoulder pain and stiffness. Generally, it is more common in women between 40 and 60. This blog outlines [...]
Running After Cortisone Injection: What You Should Know
Marathons are gruelling events, and for many runners the hard work of training starts early. The goal is to build fitness slowly and steadily without getting [...]
CrossFit elbow pain: what could it be?
CrossFit enhances fitness using functional exercises — running, gymnastics, rowing, and plyometrics. The exercises vary day to day, but they're high-intensity, with high repetition and speed. [...]
Understanding and Managing Crossfit Wrist Pain
CrossFit is a high-intensity programme of functional exercises — running, gymnastics, weights, rowing, and plyometrics. So it's no surprise that the wrist takes a considerable beating [...]
What is Weightlifter’s Shoulder? Causes and Solutions
Weightlifter's shoulder, also known as distal clavicular osteolysis, is pain arising from the end of the collarbone. The bone swells and breaks down, causing pain near [...]
Common Crossfit Injuries and How to Avoid Them
CrossFit participants are easy to spot: a lean, fit, enthusiastic group of like-minded fitness devotees who work hard. But CrossFit is considered to carry a higher [...]
Amitriptyline for Pain: Dose, Side Effects, and How It Works
Amitriptyline is an older antidepressant that we sometimes use for pain at much lower doses than for depression. Because it acts on the nervous system, it's [...]
Climber’s Finger: Pulley Injuries and How to Treat Them
Climbing continues to grow in popularity, testing flexibility, strength, control, and problem-solving. But like any demanding sport, it brings injuries — and the fingers take the [...]
Jones Fracture: A 5th Metatarsal Fracture That Heals Slowly
A Jones fracture is a break at the base of the 5th metatarsal — the long bone behind the little toe — on the outer side [...]
Torn Pec Muscle: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
A torn pec muscle is a relatively common injury in bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts. We also see torn chest muscles in contact sports such as rugby [...]
What is Sesamoiditis and How to Treat It
Sesamoiditis — inflammation of the sesamoid bones of the big toe — is a common cause of big toe pain in runners. It's important to distinguish [...]
Midfoot Arthritis: Pain in the Top and Arch of the Foot
Midfoot arthritis is a common cause of foot pain in middle-aged and older people. The midfoot connects the heel to the front of the foot, so [...]
Pain Behind the Knee: Causes and Diagnosis
Pain behind the knee is one of the more challenging musculoskeletal problems. The causes are many — muscle tears, tendon injuries, nerve damage, and even blood [...]
Osteitis Pubis Cortisone Injection: When should you use it?
There are many causes of groin pain in athletes, and one of the most common is osteitis pubis (pubic symphysitis) — inflammation and overload of the [...]
Are Cortisone Injections Bad for You? Debunking the Myths
More than 500,000 cortisone injections are given each year for musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. Cortisone reduces inflammation effectively, yet it's often stigmatised. So [...]
Quadriceps Tendonitis: Causes of Quad Pain Above the Kneecap
Although less common than patellar tendonitis, quadriceps tendonitis is an important cause of quad pain above the kneecap. So how do we diagnose quadriceps tendon pain, [...]
Injections for Hip Arthritis: What Are Your Choices?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of hip arthritis. Cartilage in the joint progressively wears away, exposing bone and causing inflammation and pain. Most cases occur [...]
Arthritis in the Wrist: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Arthritis in the wrist is a common cause of wrist pain as we age. The cartilage in the radiocarpal joint wears away — wrist osteoarthritis — [...]
Understanding and Managing Hip Pain After Running
Hip Pain After Running: What Runners Must Know Hip pain after running is common, and the most frequent cause is overload — but arthritis, muscle strains, [...]
Sacroiliac Joint Injection: Exploring Treatment Options
Sacroiliac joint pain is an under-recognised cause of buttock or groin pain. Treatment usually starts with exercise therapy and activity modification. But not every case settles [...]
Treating a Knee Meniscus Tear: Surgery vs. Physical Therapy
A torn meniscus in the knee is a common cause of knee pain in active people and older adults. We used to treat most tears with [...]
Patellar Tendonitis: Symptoms and Treatment
Jumper's knee, also known as patellar tendinitis, is an overuse injury of the patellar tendon that causes pain under the kneecap. The tendon connects the kneecap [...]
Treating Kneecap Arthritis: Options and Pain Relief
Arthritis of the knee cap, also called patellofemoral arthritis, is a common cause of pain at the front of the knee. The cartilage behind the knee [...]
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a nerve pressure problem causing pain, numbness, and pins and needles. Many people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerve [...]
Exploring Piriformis Syndrome: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Piriformis syndrome is a chronic condition arising from the piriformis muscle. This muscle causes pain locally in the buttocks. However, given its closeness to the sciatic [...]
Exploring the Effectiveness of PRP Injections for Knees
The most common cause of knee arthritis is osteoarthritis — the progressive wearing of cartilage, which exposes bone-on-bone contact and leads to inflammation, pain, and swelling. [...]
Diagnosing Sinus Tarsi Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide
Sinus tarsi syndrome is a relatively common condition causing pain at the front and outside of the ankle. It's often confused with other ankle conditions, such [...]
Diagnosing Fat Pad Impingement: Symptoms and Treatment
Fat pad impingement of the knee, also called Hoffa's syndrome, is a common cause of pain in the front of the knee. However, we should differentiate [...]
Scapholunate Ligament Tear: Diagnosis and Treatment
Wrist sprain" is the label often given to persistent wrist pain after a fall. There are many possible causes, and a simple bruise or a ligament [...]
High Ankle Spain: The Hidden Danger of Ankle Sprains
Syndesmosis injury, also known as a high ankle injury, is more common than thought. Generally, these injuries occur with other injuries, such as ankle sprains and [...]
Does PRP for Tennis Elbow Really Work?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is among the most common causes of elbow pain — and it strikes anyone active in sport or work, not just [...]
Painful Lump on the Side of the Knee: What Is It?
A lump on the side of the knee — either inside or outside — is most often a meniscal cyst. A meniscal cyst is a collection [...]
Heel Bursitis: Causes, Treatment, and Injections
Pain at the back of the heel is common. Doctors call it posterior heel pain — meaning pain behind the heel rather than underneath it. There [...]
Cortisone vs Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Pain: Which Is Better?
Exercise therapy is the best medicine for knee arthritis, alongside weight loss and managing cholesterol and blood sugar. But when lifestyle measures aren't enough, and joint [...]
Cortisone Injection Cost Privately in the UK
Cortisone Shot London is a low-cost service for private insurance and self-pay patients. With long NHS waiting times, it helps people return to activity and sport [...]
Elbow Bursitis (Olecranon Bursitis): Symptoms and Treatment
Elbow bursitis — also called olecranon bursitis — is swelling of the fluid-filled sac at the back of the elbow. It often appears as a soft [...]
Hip Dysplasia in Adults: Diagnosis and Treatment
Hip dysplasia describes an abnormally shaped hip joint — usually a socket that's too shallow for the ball. The abnormality develops in childhood, but if it [...]
Wrist Cartilage Tear (TFCC): Injection and Treatment Options
The wrist contains a piece of cartilage called the triangular fibrocartilage complex, or TFCC. It sits on the inner (ulnar) side of the wrist — the [...]
Pulled Muscle in Calf: Causes and Treatments
Sudden calf pain during sport is often a pulled calf muscle—a calf tear, also called a calf strain or tennis leg —common in active people. But [...]
Os Trigonum Syndrome: An Expert’s Perspective
The os trigonum is a small extra bone at the back of the ankle joint, present in roughly 10–15% of people. Occasionally, it causes ankle pain [...]
Peroneal Tendon Problems: Causes and Treatment
The peroneal tendons connect the muscles on the outside of the lower leg to the outside of the foot. These tendons can cause ankle problems through [...]
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis: Common Causes and Effective Relief
Posterior tibial tendonitis causes pain on the inside of the ankle. Generally, treatment consists of exercises, orthotics, and injections. So, how long does posterior tibial tendon [...]
Ultrasound Guided Ankle Injection for Ankle Arthritis
Ankle arthritis is less common than knee or hip arthritis. The most common joint affected is the ankle joint between the leg (tibia) and the ankle [...]
nStride PRP: Is It Worth It, and What Are the Alternatives?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), also known as regenerative injection therapy, is used to treat common musculoskeletal conditions, including knee arthritis. We make PRP from whole blood taken [...]
Navicular Stress Fracture: Diagnosis and Treatment
A navicular stress fracture is a common overuse injury in active athletes. We see it in runners, basketball players, track and field athletes, and footballers, and [...]
Long Head of Biceps Tendon Injury and Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain may be due to many causes, such as rotator cuff tendinosis, shoulder joint arthritis, and frozen shoulder. However, in some less common cases, shoulder [...]
Hip Stress Fracture: A Common Injury for Active Runners
Hip Stress Fracture: A Common Injury in Runners A hip stress fracture is a crack that develops near the ball-and-socket hip joint from repetitive microtrauma. Over [...]
Calcaneal Stress Fracture: A Common Injury in Runners
A calcaneal stress fracture is an overuse injury of the heel bone (the calcaneus). It's a common cause of heel pain in runners, military recruits, and [...]
Subacromial Bursa Injections For Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendon problems are the most common cause of shoulder pain. Problems with the rotator cuff tendons include tendonitis, calcification, and tears. Generally, treatment is [...]
Cortisone Shot in the Hand for Arthritis
Your hand and wrist are a complex arrangement of bones, joints, tendons, nerves, and muscles that work together for fine, coordinated movement. Wrist and hand [...]
Hip Impingement Explained: Causes and Treatment
Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is linked to an abnormally shaped ball-and-socket joint. It's common in active sportspeople and even more common in elite athletes. [...]
Baker’s Cyst on Ultrasound: Diagnosis, Drainage, and Treatment
A Baker's cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, arises from the knee joint and causes a lump at the back of the knee. We usually confirm [...]
Ganglion Cyst Drainage: How to Do It
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled capsules that commonly form on the top of the wrist, though they can develop around any joint or tendon. Removing the fluid [...]
Shoulder Joint Injection for Shoulder Arthritis
Arthritis of the shoulder — the glenohumeral joint — causes pain, stiffness, and weakness that can limit everyday life. Where simple treatments haven't worked, an intra-articular [...]
Acromioclavicular Joint Pain: When to Use an Injection
An AC joint injection is used to treat problems such as AC joint arthritis. So when is an AC joint injection effective, how do we do [...]
Immediate Gout Pain Relief: What Stops Gout Pain Fast
Gout is an inflammatory joint disease that commonly affects men in their 40s and 50s, sometimes younger. It causes severe pain and swelling, and most people [...]
Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment: The Missed Cause of Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of chronic heel pain — but not the only one. Baxter's nerve entrapment causes up to 20% of chronic [...]
Lateral ligament ankle sprain: how to treat it properly?
A lateral ligament ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are stretched beyond their limits, causing pain and swelling. Most sprained [...]
Housemaid’s Knee (Prepatellar Bursitis): Causes and Treatment
Housemaid's knee, also known as prepatellar bursitis or kneecap bursitis, causes swelling and pain at the front of the knee. So why is it called "housemaid's [...]
How long does it take for a cortisone shot to work: FAQs
We use cortisone injections for arthritis and tendonitis, and one of the most common questions is how long it takes for a cortisone shot to work. [...]
Iliopsoas tendon injection: will it help iliopsoas bursitis?
Iliopsoas bursitis (or tendonitis) is a broad term for symptoms arising from the iliopsoas tendon, which bends your leg at the hip. It's an overuse condition, [...]
Meniscus Injections: An Alternative to Meniscal Surgery
Most meniscal tears in the knee are degenerative, and most get better with exercise. Some cases are more stubborn and don't improve. We used to offer [...]
Hyaluronic Acid and PRP Together: Better for Knee Arthritis?
Knee arthritis is common — a recent study found twice as many people have it as ten years ago. The most effective treatment is exercise and [...]
Antibiotics and Achilles Tendon Injuries: Harmful or Helpful?
Achilles tendonitis is common among middle-aged runners and among elite and amateur athletes. The usual cause is too much load on the tendon, with obesity, diabetes, [...]
Cortisone Shot in the Big Toe Joint
Arthritis of the big toe — hallux rigidus — is a common cause of pain and stiffness. Where simple treatments haven't worked, a cortisone shot in [...]
Frozen Shoulder Hydrodilatation Injections: A Complete Guide
Frozen shoulder hydrodilatation injections treat the pain and stiffness of adhesive capsulitis. The procedure combines a frozen shoulder cortisone injection with a high volume of fluid. [...]
Bicep Tendonitis at the Elbow: Causes and Treatment
One of the more common gym injuries is biceps tendonitis of the elbow. Excessive exercise or overload can cause swelling of the biceps tendon — distal [...]
Golfer’s Elbow Injections: What Are the Options?
Golfer's elbow injections help in complex cases that fail other treatment. But how do you diagnose golfer's elbow correctly, and what treatments are available besides a [...]
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatment and Injections
Our hip joints are among the largest and strongest in the body, providing strength and flexibility for walking, running, and jumping. They also take a beating. [...]
Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: Tips and Tricks
If you are a runner with an ache in the back of your upper thigh or buttock — close to your 'sit bones' — you may [...]
Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplementation Injection: Expert Advice
Arthritis and tendonitis affect a large part of the population. For people who play sports or run, the pain and swelling can stop them from participating [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Pes Anserine Tendinitis
Knee pain is common in runners. If your pain is on the inside of the knee, you might have pes anserine bursitis or lower hamstring tendonitis. [...]
Calcific Tendonitis in Shoulder: How do we manage it?
Shoulder pain affects up to a third of the population. One frustrating cause is calcific tendonitis of the shoulder — calcium deposits that irritate the rotator [...]
Should you have a cortisone injection in thumb joint?
Thumb arthritis is the most common arthritis of the hand and wrist, affecting the joint at the base of the thumb — the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. [...]
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Injection: Do You Need It?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons of the thumb and wrist. So, it is unsurprising that patients ask about a cortisone injection [...]
Trigger Finger Injection: How effective is it?
Trigger finger is a common overuse condition affecting one or more fingers or thumbs. One of the most effective treatments is a steroid injection. But how [...]
Who Benefits from Ultrasound Carpal Tunnel Injection?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common wrist condition in the general population that we treat well with an ultrasound carpal tunnel injection. So, do you need [...]
Adductor Tendonitis Injection: Options for Complex Groin Pain
Adductor tendonitis is one of many possible causes of groin pain in runners and athletes. Most groin pain comes from overload of the tendons and joints [...]
Tendonitis Specialist: Diagnosis and Treatment
Tendon pain is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — problems in sport and everyday life. Treating it well means finding why the [...]
Groin pain in runners: what are the causes?
Groin pain in runners is often called a "pulled groin" or groin strain, which suggests a muscle tear. But while some cases are adductor or hamstring [...]
IT Band Injection: Does Cortisone Help IT Band Syndrome?
Some conditions in sports medicine are easy to diagnose but hard to treat. A good example is IT band syndrome — iliotibial band friction syndrome — [...]
Pars Defect: Spondylolysis and Back Stress Fractures in Active Teens
We're always on guard when an active young teen has low back pain. Unlike adults, who tend to get general low back pain, many active teens [...]
Tendon Scraping: An Alternative to Surgery for Tendonitis
Most cases of patellar or Achilles tendonitis improve with exercise therapy that strengthens the muscles above and below the affected tendon. For complex cases, we add [...]
Knee Injections for Arthritis: Comparing Your Options in London
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint wears away, exposing the bones beneath. This leads to pain, swelling, and reduced function. Simple treatments — exercise, [...]
Tendon specialists: Tales from the Tendon clinic
This innovative webinar takes listeners through top tips on how to manage lower limb and buttock tendinopathy. Dr Lorenzo Masci, a [...]
Understanding Plantaris Tendon and Its Role in Achilles Tendonitis
The Plantaris Tendon: A Hidden Cause of Achilles Pain Achilles tendonitis is a common cause of ankle pain in active people, and excess activity is the [...]
The Truth about Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis
Barely a day passes without a reference to the near-magical effects of stem cell therapy — for regenerating nerves and muscle in conditions such as spinal [...]
Ultrasound Guided Injection in London: Is It Better?
We use injections in sports medicine to reduce pain — commonly cortisone, hyaluronic acid, and PRP. Traditionally, these are given "blind", with the needle directed without [...]
Cortisone Injections in Shoulder: Pros and Cons
Overall, exercise is the most effective treatment for shoulder pain. However, severe shoulder pain sometimes limits the amount of exercise that can be done. In these [...]
Plantar Fasciitis Injection: Is It Effective?
The plantar fascia is a fibrous band connecting the heel to the forefoot. Injury to the plantar fascia — plantar fasciitis — is common in athletes [...]
Choosing the Right Tendon Injection
Choosing the Right Tendon Injection: An Expert Guide Generally, the most effective treatment for most cases of tendonitis is a rehabilitation programme built around strengthening exercises. [...]
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Common Injuries
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy treats common MSK conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and stress fractures. Additionally, there is substantial scientific evidence that shockwave [...]
GTN Patch for Tendonitis: How to Use It, and Does It Work?
Managing tendonitis is tricky. Exercise therapy is the best treatment, but some people struggle with exercise and need extra help. Injections work in some cases but [...]
The Cost of Cortisone Injections in London: A Complete Guide
Doctors perform over 500,000 cortisone injections every year in the UK for joint and tendon problems. But what should a cortisone injection cost in London — [...]
Sports Doctor: Your Go-To Specialist for Musculoskeletal Injuries
You Need to See a Sport Doctor... When someone suffers a musculoskeletal injury, knowing how to get help to ensure a quick recovery can be difficult. [...]
Finding the Best Treatment for Arthritis
The American College of Rheumatology has published guidelines on the best treatment for arthritis pain, based on a review of the current evidence for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis [...]
Hip Joint Injections for Pain Relief: Everything You Need to Know
Why would someone have a hip injection? Hip joint injections relieve pain from joint diseases such as arthritis. Hip arthritis is among the most common causes [...]
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection: Does It Work for Arthritis and Tendonitis?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for joints and tendons are increasingly popular. Part of the field of regenerative medicine, they're used to reduce pain and promote healing. [...]
Frozen Shoulder Injection: A Complete Guide to Your Options
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is an inflammatory condition affecting the shoulder joint capsule. It affects around 5% of the population and is most [...]
Morton’s Neuroma Injection: Ultrasound-Guided Treatment for Forefoot Pain
Morton's neuroma is a thickening or swelling of a nerve between the small bones of the forefoot. The nerve becomes swollen because it's trapped between the [...]
Injection for Tennis Elbow: Is it the Right Choice for You?
Tennis elbow is a painful condition affecting the outer elbow, common among athletes and anyone who performs repetitive elbow work. Most people assume a cortisone injection [...]