Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Sports injuries refer to the kinds of injury that occur
during sports or exercise. While it is possible to injure any part of the body when playing
sports, the term sports injuries is commonly used to refer to injuries of the
musculoskeletal system.
Some of the most common sports injuries include:
Sprains—tears to the
ligaments that join the ends of bones together. The ankles, knees, and wrists
are commonly affected by sprains.
Strains—pulls or tears
of muscles or tendons (the tissues that attach the muscles to the bones)
"Shin splints"—pain
along the outside front of the lower leg, commonly
seen in runners
Achilles tendonitis
or rupture of the Achilles tendon—These injuries involve the large band of tissue that connects the calf muscles
to the heel
Acute injuries usually
occur suddenly while participating in sports or exercise. They may result in
sudden and severe pain, the inability to bear weight on a limb, or inability to move the affected part of the body. Chronic
injuries usually result from overuse of one area of the body over a period of
time. Symptoms of chronic injuries include soreness, dull aching pain, and pain
during participation in physical activity.
Shin splints are injuries to the front of the outer leg.
While the exact injury is not known, shin
splints seem to result from inflammation
due to
injury of the tendon (posterior
peroneal tendon) and adjacent tissues in the
front of the outer leg.
Shin splints are a member of a group of injuries
called "overuse injuries." Shin splints occur most commonly in runners or
aggressive
walkers.
What are shin splints symptoms?
Shin splints cause pain in the front of the outer leg
below the knee. The pain of shin
splints is characteristically located on the outer edge of the mid region of the
leg next to the shinbone (tibia). An area of discomfort
measuring 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length is frequently present. Pain is often
noted at the early portion of the workout, then lessens, only to reappear near
the end of the training session. Shin splint discomfort is often described as
dull at first. However, with continuing trauma, the pain can
become so extreme as to cause the athlete to stop workouts altogether.
What causes shin splints?
A primary culprit causing shin splints is a sudden
increase in distance or intensity of a workout schedule. This increase in muscle
work can be associated with inflammation of the lower leg muscles, those muscles
used in lifting the foot (the motion during which the
foot pivots toward the tibia). Such a situation can be aggravated by
a tendency to pronate the foot (roll it excessively inward onto the
arch).
Similarly, a tight Achilles tendon or weak
ankle muscles are also often
implicated in the development of shin splints.
How are shin splints diagnosed?
The diagnosis of shin splints is usually made during examination.
It depends upon a careful review of the patient's history and a
focused physical exam (on the examination of the shins and legs where local tenderness is noted).
Specialized (and costly) tests (for example, bone scans) are generally
only
necessary if the diagnosis is unclear. Radiology tests, such
as X-rays, bone scan, or MRI
scan, can be helpful in this setting to detect stress fracture of the tibia bone.
Shin Splints - Length Symptoms LastedQuestion: How long did the symptoms of your shin splints last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.
Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture.
There are several bones in the foot, and these bones can be broken (fractured) in a variety of ways. Falling from heights, dropping heavy objects on the foot, or stress fractures from running or walking. Treatment of a broken foot depends on what bone in the foot is broken.
Compartment syndrome is a condition in which swelling and an increase in pressure within a limited space presses and compresses blood vessels, nerves, or tendons that run through the compartment. There are two types of compartment syndrome, acute compartment syndrome is treated with surgery (fasciotomy) and chronic compartment syndrome, which is treated with rest and modality to the affected limb. Symptoms of compartment syndrome include pain, change in sensation, change in color, paralysis, or numbness in the affected limb.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
The evidence is growing and is more convincing than ever! People of all ages
who are generally inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming
active at a moderate-intensity on a regular basis.
Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary
heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death, and decreases the risk for
stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps to
control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls
among older adults; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; reduces symptoms of
anxiety and depression; and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician
visits, and medications. Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be
beneficial; people of all ages benefit from participating in regular,
moderate-intensity physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five
or more...
Sports injuries refer to the kinds of injury that occur
during sports or exercise. While it is possible to injure any part of the body when playing
sports, the term sports injuries is commonly used to refer to injuries of the
musculoskeletal system. 
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