Common Athlete Foot Injuries
It should come as no surprise that athletes’ feet and ankles are prime candidates for foot and ankle injuries. The repeated pounding that athletes’ feet receive on paved surfaces and side-to-side motion can cause numerous injuries.
Whether you’re an athlete, participate in sports regularly or are just a weekend warrior, you need to know some of these common athletes’ foot injuries.
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Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Prompt treatment by a foot and ankle doctor is important because “sprain” could actually be an ankle fracture.
Treatment for sprains and treatment for fractures is very different. An ankle that has not been properly healed and strengthened is more likely to suffer repeated sprains, leading to chronic ankle instability.
Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg, can turn into the degeneration of the tendon (Achilles tendonosis). A sudden increase of a repetitive and/or athletic activity, leading to injury of the tendon fibers, can cause serious problems.
Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, although it may also be caused by stress fractures. While faulty foot structure is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis, it can also result from wearing shoes that are worn out or not designed for the sport in which you’re participating.
Keeping the Achilles tendon stretched can help get rid of this pain, but continued pain should be checked out by a foot and ankle doctor to rule out a fracture or other cause.
In Morton’s neuroma, also called “intermetatarsal neuroma,” there is a thickening of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot resulting from pressing on and irritating the nerve.
Causes of Morton’s neuroma include activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or court sports.
Symptoms start gradually and may come and go when the nerve is irritated due to activity. But it’s important to have it looked at by an experienced foot and ankle doctor before the damage becomes more severe.
These are just some of the foot and ankle injuries that happen to athletes and people who participate in sporting activities; there are many more.
Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.
Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.
