Foot and ankle injuries are some of the most common orthopedic injuries sustained by athletes. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, it is important to understand the risk of a foot or ankle injury within your preferred physical activity.
Common foot and ankle injuries, treatment and prevention methods:
- Ankle Sprains: One of the most prevalent injuries in sports, ankle sprains occur when one of the ligaments in your ankle joint is stretched beyond its capacity resulting in a tear. This injury can be painful and cause swelling, but is often extremely treatable using the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). If the pain persists and conservative treatment fails, seeing a physician is a good idea to seek further treatment and avoid repeat sprains.
- Achilles Tendonitis: The Achilles tendon is the largest in your body, extending from your calf muscles to your heel. Achilles tendonitis can occur when this tendon is overused, often due to excess running or jumping in sports. While this injury can cause pain and stiffness in your Achilles tendon, it can usually be treated with the RICE method. When the injury is severe, seeking professional treatment is recommended.
- Plantar Fasciitis: The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue at the base of your foot connecting your heel to your toes. This tissue can become inflamed, painful, and tight due to excess running in sports such as track and field, basketball, or soccer. Plantar fasciitis is treatable through stretching, physical therapy, medication, injections, or in severe cases surgery.
- Stress Fractures: Stress fractures, small cracks in the bones of your foot or ankle, are extremely common in sports involving repetitive movements or hits to these joints. These painful injuries are most often sustained in basketball, track and field, soccer, and gymnastics. When a stress fracture is sustained, it is usually recommended to rest and immobilize the site of injury until healed, paired with a gradual return to your sport.
- Turf Toe: Most often associated with football, turf toe is an injury involving the big toe and can actually be sustained in a variety of sports. Turf toe occurs when the big toe is hyperextended or jammed causing the joint to sprain. When less severe, this injury can be treated using the RICE method. But sometimes this injury can cause damage to the surrounding bones and joints resulting in misalignment that may require surgery.
Most foot and ankle injuries can be prevented by practicing joint-focused stretching and exercises to loosen and strengthen your foot and ankle joints. Injuries can happen, especially when passionate athletes push the limits of their sport. So if you sustain a foot or ankle injury, the experts at Hinsdale Orthopedics at Munster are dedicated to providing you with world-class orthopedic care.
AUTHOR: Bryant S. Ho MD is a board-certified in orthopedic surgery at Hinsdale Orthopedics, with comprehensive training in the operative and non-operative management of adolescent and adult foot and ankle disorders.