Sports Injuries
Treatment for common sports injuries affecting the feet, ankles, and lower legs
Podiatry Care After a Sports Injury
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 8.6 million sports-related injuries every year. Of these, 42 percent were to the lower extremities – 12 points higher than any other body part. That’s over 3.6 million sports injuries to the feet, ankles, and legs. Sprains and strains account for 41.4 percent of injuries, with fractures coming in a distant second at 20 percent.
Receiving podiatric care quickly after an injury helps speed up healing to get you back in the game faster. But more than that, proper care helps protect you against future injury.
The Most Common Activities that Cause Sports Injuries in Adults
The CDC reports that adults aged 25 and older are nearly twice as likely to be injured during general exercise than any other activity. This includes:
- Aerobics
- Weight training
- Running
Next up on the list of injury-causing activities is recreational sports, which includes:
- Net sports like tennis, pickleball, racquetball, and badminton
- Golf
- Bowling
- Fishing and hunting
- Hiking and mountain climbing
Together, general exercise and recreational sports cause over 1 million injuries each year. That number doubles when you add the 15 to 24 age group.
The Most Common Sports-Related Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
Sprains and strains account for the vast majority of foot and ankle injuries. Most people immediately think of the ankle, but you can sprain any joint. Other sport-related sprains include Lisfranc, which affects the midfoot, and turf toe, which is a sprain at the joint of the big toe.
Other common sports injuries are:
- Bone injuries, such as foot fractures and contusions. Fractures may be due to acute injury but they may also be caused by repeated stress.
- Tendon injuries, especially to the Achilles tendon, are often the result of overuse. However, they may also be caused by acute injury, such as tendon rupture.
- Muscle injuries are usually caused by overuse or direct trauma. The most common prescription is rest, ice, compression, and elevation, often referred to as RICE.
As part of their treatment, our staff will provide advice to help you avoid future injuries.
Can You Prevent Sports Injuries?
As the saying goes, accidents can happen anytime. But, you can reduce your risk of sports-related injuries.
- Make sure the shoes you wear are appropriate for the activity and fit well. Our blog post, Choosing the Right Shoe for Your Activity, explains that yes, there is a difference between a running shoe and a walking shoe, or one designed for the basketball court.
- Please note that your shoes should fit properly and feel comfortable from the start. Don’t convince yourself you’ll break them in just because you love the style or the price.
- Know your limits. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push yourself to improve. But too fast, too soon increases your risk of injury significantly. Don’t go from walking 30 minutes a day to running 5 miles. Your body needs time to adjust to those increased demands. If you aren’t sure what safe limits are, talk to your doctor.
Need a Phoenix Sports Injury Doctor?
Call Dr. Mikkel Jarman with Preferred Foot & Ankle Specialists at (480) 497-3946
For non-emergency you can also Schedule appointment online.
Emergencies: Call our office anytime for after-hour Emergency and Podiatric Surgery Services.
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