Foot, Knee, Hip, Shoulder & Joint Complaints

Padel strains the forearm muscles through many repeated strokes. Pain on the outside of the elbow, reduced grip strength or discomfort when lifting objects can be early signs. Adjusting technique, grip size and racket can help. Early treatment often prevents a prolonged course.

Achilles tendon pain often occurs after long hikes, steep climbs or unfamiliar downhill walking. Warning signs are tenderness, morning start-up pain, swelling or pain when climbing stairs. Reduce load, cool after activity and avoid steep tours. If pain persists, I examine the tendon with ultrasound and discuss exercises, load management or shockwave therapy.

Shockwave therapy can be useful for chronic heel pain, plantar fasciitis or tendon insertion irritation when symptoms persist despite rest, stretching and shoe optimization. Typical signs are pain under the heel in the morning during the first steps or after longer walks. An accurate diagnosis is important first; then shockwave therapy can be a conservative component for reducing pain and improving load tolerance.

Blisters are caused by friction, moisture, new shoes or long hikes. Small closed blisters should be protected and not opened unnecessarily. Use blister plasters, keep the area clean and avoid friction. Warning signs are increasing redness, warmth, pus, severe pain or spreading. People with diabetes or circulatory disorders should have it checked early.

A heel spur is not always the actual cause of pain. Often there is irritation of the plantar fascia or the tendon insertion behind it. Typical signs are stabbing pain under the heel, especially in the morning during the first steps or after rest. Prolonged walking on hard ground can worsen it. Examination of foot mechanics, shoes and tendon insertions is important.

Pain under the sole of the foot often occurs after long walks, sightseeing or hikes. Causes can include overload of the plantar fascia, unsuitable footwear, flatfoot-related complaints or irritation of small foot joints. Reduce walking distances, cool the sole and check your shoes. Stretching exercises for the calves and sole can help. If symptoms persist, I clarify foot mechanics, tendons and load patterns.

When hiking downhill, high braking forces act on the knee joints, kneecaps and thigh muscles. This is often underestimated in the Serra de Tramuntana. Symptoms include anterior knee pain, a feeling of pressure, insecurity or pain after descents. Trekking poles, smaller steps, good footwear and breaks relieve strain. In cases of swelling, locking or instability, a meniscus, cartilage or tendon problem should be clarified.

Night-time shoulder pain can indicate irritation of the rotator cuff, bursitis, calcific tendinitis or impingement problems. Typical signs are pain when lying on the affected side, when lifting the arm or when reaching behind. Avoid overhead strain and try relieving sleeping positions. If symptoms persist, I examine tendons and bursae with ultrasound.

In Mallorca, many patients are much more active than in everyday life. Walks, golf, hikes, cycling or stairs can aggravate osteoarthritis symptoms. Typical signs are start-up and load pain, stiffness or swelling after activity. Reduce load for a few days and pay attention to recovery. Acute irritation can often be treated conservatively, for example with physiotherapy, infiltrations, hyaluronic acid or shockwave therapy.

Sudden knee swelling can occur after sport, unfamiliar strain, a fall or without an obvious trigger. Common causes include synovial irritation, meniscus injuries, osteoarthritis flare-ups or inflammation. Warning signs are a feeling of tightness, warmth, restricted movement or pain when walking. Cool, elevate and reduce load. If the swelling persists or increases, it should be assessed.

Joint noises are often harmless and are caused by tendons, ligaments or gas bubbles in the joint fluid. As long as there is no pain, swelling or restricted movement, treatment is usually not necessary. If noises occur for the first time or are accompanied by pain, instability or loss of strength, an examination may be useful, especially after injury or sports load.

Pain at the base of the thumb often occurs when gripping, opening bottles, carrying bags or doing sport. Causes include overuse, tendon irritation or early osteoarthritis of the thumb saddle joint. Symptoms are pain with load, loss of strength or difficulty gripping firmly. After examination, I discuss unloading, physiotherapy, tape, infiltrations or other conservative options.

Swimming is gentle on the joints, but can trigger symptoms with unfamiliar load, technical errors or a pre-damaged shoulder. Typical signs are pain with overhead movement, night pain, loss of strength or pain when lifting. The rotator cuff or bursa is often irritated. Reduce load and avoid painful movements. If symptoms persist, I recommend orthopaedic assessment.

Groin pain often occurs after golf, padel, tennis, football, running or longer hikes. The cause may lie in the groin, hip, tendon insertions, muscles, abdominal wall or lumbar spine. Typical signs are pain when walking, climbing stairs, changing direction or lifting the leg. Reduce sporting load. If symptoms persist or recur, I clarify the cause orthopaedically.

Hip pain can present as groin pain, lateral hip pain or buttock complaints. Causes include osteoarthritis, bursal irritation, tendon complaints, muscular overload or radiating spinal complaints. Warning signs are pain when walking, after sitting, when climbing stairs or lying on the side. A precise examination is important because different structures can cause similar symptoms.

Months or years after sports injuries, pain, instability or restricted movement can persist. Commonly affected areas are ankles, knees, shoulders, Achilles tendons or the spine. Treatable causes can include scar tissue, chronic tendon irritation, muscular imbalances or joint dysfunctions. A renewed assessment is often worthwhile to improve load tolerance conservatively.