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What we help with

Sports injuries and joint pain

Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees sports injuries and joint pain of the shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, ankle and foot. For ankle sprains, common shoulder pain, knee osteoarthritis and heel pain, guidelines put exercise first and use hands-on care such as joint mobilization alongside it, not on its own.

Which joint problems does Dr. LeGault see?

Dr. LeGault sees sprains, strains and aching joints of the shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, ankle and foot, whether they come from sport, work or everyday life.

Shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, ankle and foot problems are all seen here, and Dr. LeGault also holds the CrossFit Level 1 certification.

What the research on this page covers, by body region
Body regionWhat guidelines and reviews recommend
Ankle sprainStructured exercise, with joint and soft-tissue mobilization alongside it (2021 guideline)
Shoulder pain (subacromial)Exercise first; manual therapy can be added to it (2020 review)
Knee osteoarthritisExercise (2024 Cochrane review)
Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)Manual therapy for the leg and foot (2023 guideline)
Hip and wristNot covered on this page

When does a joint injury need imaging or a surgeon first?

A possible broken bone, an injury you cannot put weight on, marked swelling or a joint that looks deformed needs a prompt medical assessment first, which may include imaging.

When an exam points to something that needs imaging or another specialist, Dr. LeGault refers you on.

How does Dr. LeGault care for sports injuries and joint pain?

Care centers on rehabilitation exercise, with hands-on treatment and taping used alongside it.

Dr. LeGault provides each part of this care himself:

  • Extremity adjusting: hands-on adjustment of the joints of the arms and legs, such as the ankle or shoulder.
  • Graston Technique soft-tissue work: Graston is instrument-assisted soft-tissue work, using shaped hand-held instruments over the muscles and tendons around a joint.
  • Rehab exercises: strength, balance and movement work, practiced in the office and continued at home.
  • Kinesiology taping: elastic tape applied to the skin over a muscle or joint, used alongside the other care.

Ankle: what do guidelines recommend after a sprain?

After an ankle sprain, guidelines strongly recommend a structured exercise program, in the clinic and at home, with gentle hands-on care alongside it.

Shoulder: what does the research support for shoulder pain?

For common pain around the top of the shoulder (subacromial pain), exercise is the first-line treatment, and hands-on care can be added to it.

That research covers subacromial shoulder pain only; other shoulder problems are outside it.

Knee: why is exercise the core of care for knee pain and osteoarthritis?

Exercise is recommended for knee osteoarthritis by all current international clinical guidelines, so hands-on care for the knee is used only alongside it.

Foot: what helps heel pain (plantar fasciitis)?

A 2023 heel pain guideline gives its strongest grade of recommendation to hands-on manual therapy for the joints and soft tissues of the leg and foot, to ease pain and improve function.

Hip and wrist: do you see these joints too?

Yes, Dr. LeGault sees hip and wrist pain as well.

The research summarized on this page covers the ankle, shoulder, knee and heel; it does not cover the hip or the wrist.

Does kinesiology taping help?

Kinesiology tape may ease pain for a short time, but the research behind it is very uncertain, so it is used only as a possible short-term comfort aid alongside active care.

Kinesiology tape is not the same as the firm athletic tape or brace the ankle guideline describes: that advice is about support for a sprained ankle, not about elastic tape.

Will I get a home exercise program?

Yes: the exercises you keep doing at home are the center of care for joint problems.

Dr. LeGault shows you each exercise in the office, sets up your program in the Physitrack app or on printed handouts, and progresses it over your visits.

Is care for sports injuries and joint pain safe?

This care is low risk but not free of side effects: tape can irritate the skin, and exercise may slightly increase minor side effects.

What happens at the first visit for a sports injury?

Dr. LeGault asks how the injury happened and what you want to get back to, explains what he finds, and plans care around your goals.

The first visit starts with a detailed health history and a discussion of the injury, then a physical examination, with orthopedic and neurological testing if appropriate. If care here is appropriate, treatment may begin the same day.

No referral from a doctor is needed. X-rays are arranged off-site, and only when clinically appropriate. There are no long-term contracts.

For booking, paperwork and what to bring, read how your first visit works.

When can I see Dr. LeGault for a joint injury, and is my plan accepted?

Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees sports-injury and joint-pain patients on the days below, and the practice accepts the plans listed; coverage depends on your plan.

Hours by day
DayDr. LeGault
Monday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursdaynot stated
Fridaynot stated
Saturday8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • UPMC
  • Highmark
  • Aetna
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
  • Medicare (participating provider)
  • Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
  • Workers’ compensation

Coverage depends on your plan.

We can verify and check your benefits before your first visit, or you can check with your insurer directly. Self-pay options are available too: call 412-364-4100 to ask.

Questions, answered

Is kinesiology tape the same as athletic tape?

No. Kinesiology tape is elastic and is used as a short-term comfort aid alongside exercise. Firm athletic tape and braces give support, which is what the ankle sprain guideline recommends while you put weight back on a freshly sprained ankle.

Will I need an X-ray?

Only when it is clinically appropriate, and then it is taken off-site. A possible broken bone, or an injury you cannot put weight on, needs a prompt medical assessment first.

Do you only see athletes?

No. Dr. LeGault sees anyone with joint pain, from weekend runners and lifters to people whose knees or shoulders ache from work or daily life.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No. The practice does not require a referral; some insurance plans may require one for coverage, so check your plan.

Dr. LeGault sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdayinsurance plans we acceptdirections and parkingcoverage depends on your planJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking

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References

  1. Ankle sprain guideline (2021): Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle stability and movement coordination impairments: lateral ankle ligament sprains revision 2021. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;51(4):CPG1–CPG80. (opens another site)

    Exercise, with joint and soft-tissue mobilization alongside it (Grade A); support with tape or a brace while weight-bearing returns; severe injuries may need bracing or a cast.

  2. Review of shoulder pain treatments (2020): Pieters L, Lewis J, Kuppens K, et al. An update of systematic reviews examining the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy interventions for subacromial shoulder pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2020;50(3):131–141. (opens another site)

    Exercise first for subacromial shoulder pain; manual therapy can be added for some extra short-term benefit.

  3. Cochrane review of exercise for knee osteoarthritis (2024): Lawford BJ, Hall M, Hinman RS, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2024;12:CD004376. (opens another site)

    139 trials: exercise probably improves pain, function and quality of life in the short term (low to moderate certainty); may slightly increase side effects.

  4. Collins NJ, Barton CJ, van Middelkoop M, et al. 2018 consensus statement on exercise therapy and physical interventions (orthoses, taping and manual therapy) to treat patellofemoral pain. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018;52(18):1170–1178. (opens another site)

    Kneecap, knee or lumbar mobilizations used in isolation are not recommended for pain around the kneecap.

  5. Heel pain guideline (2023): Koc TA Jr, Bise CG, Neville C, et al. Heel pain – plantar fasciitis: revision 2023. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2023;53(12):CPG1–CPG39. (opens another site)

    Manual therapy for the joints and soft tissues of the leg and foot (Grade A), including instrument-assisted techniques; low risk.

  6. Mo Q, Deng Z, Zheng J, et al. Effectiveness and clinical relevance of kinesio taping in musculoskeletal disorders: an overview of systematic reviews and evidence mapping. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 2026 (online ahead of print). (opens another site)

    Possible short-term easing of pain; overall evidence very uncertain; skin irritation and itching are the side effects reported most often.