Sports Injuries Specialist

What are the most common sports injuries?

Sports injuries that affect the foot and ankle can occur during participation in physical activity or when trauma or stress damages the foot. The most commonly experienced injuries include:

• Achilles bursitis
• Broken toes
• Bruised heels
• Bunions
• Calcaneal fracture
• Dislocated toes
• Hammertoe
• Hallux rigidus
• Midtarsal joint sprain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Stress fractures
• Tendonitis
• Turf Toe

When should I see a podiatrist?

If you have employed conservative at-home treatments such as ice to address the injury without seeing results, and are unable to walk or the pain is not reducing, you should see a podiatrist. Additionally, certain symptoms can lead to potentially larger problems if left untreated. Make an appointment with a podiatrist immediately if you have any of the following:

• Severe swelling
• Great discomfort, especially when walking
• Unable to perform typical everyday tasks after 3 days
• Sensations of pins and needles or loss of feeling in the foot or ankle

What treatments are used for sports injuries?

X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI are generally the first step in treatment for sports injuries. This is so the injured body part can be properly diagnosed by seeing the underlying damage. From that determination a treatment plan is put together which can include the following:

• An immobilizing boot can be employed
• Resting the foot and applying ice regularly while elevating the appendage can help mild to moderate injuries heal
• NSAID pain medications such as ibuprofen can be utilized to minimize swelling as well as prescribed pain relievers
• Physical therapy and using padding or splints can also help with moderate injuries such as sprains.

Surgery is usually a last resort because of the time necessary for the patient to recover in full and be able to continue participating in their sport once again.