Sports Related Injury Specialist

What causes a foot and ankle sports-related injury?

There are many common sports injuries. Common sports injuries of the feet and ankles generally fall into two categories: overuse and trauma. 

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries build-up over time. The continual impact of the foot hitting the pavement, muscle stretching, or tendon extension eventually causes damage that’s just as painful as a traumatic injury. Examples of overuse injuries include Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. 

Traumatic injuries

Traumatic injuries happen suddenly. This kind of foot or ankle injury can occur if you collide with another person, trip, or land from a jump badly. Common examples include displaced bone fractures, joint displacement, and ligament rupture.

Some types of injuries, for example, ligament sprains and muscle or tendon strains, can have elements of both overuse and trauma. If you overwork your body frequently, it causes weakening, which then makes you more vulnerable to sudden trauma. 

Although overuse and trauma are the main reasons for sports injuries, other factors like improper footwear and poor training can play a big role as well. 

When does a sports-related injury need treatment?

In general, a foot or ankle sports-related injury requires medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms: 

• Serious pain
• Swelling
• Skin bruising
• Skin redness
• Inability to bear weight comfortably
• Unable to move your foot and ankle normally
• Tingling or electrical sensations
  
  

If you have other new symptoms, or if your foot or ankle just doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact Chicagoland Foot and Ankle for help right away. 

How can a podiatrist help with foot and ankle sports injuries?

The Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team specializes in foot and ankle anatomy and function, so they know how to effectively find the source of your sports-related injury pain quickly. 

Diagnosis involves a gentle hands-on examination, tests to check your range-of-motion and function, and diagnostic imaging using the on-site X-ray or ultrasound machine. Then, the team confers with you to develop the ideal recovery plan. 

Sports injury treatment focuses on injury healing. Common treatments include physical therapy, custom orthotics, bracing, and steroid injections, along with home care like icing, rest, and elevation. For more severe injuries, like a displaced bone fracture, you may need surgery. 

The team also helps you return to your sport in the safest way. They may recommend training changes, new shoes, and ongoing orthotic use to attain peak function while avoiding new sports injuries.

If you have a foot or ankle sports injury, call the Chicagoland Foot and Ankle team or book an appointment online.