You may be a tennis enthusiast, an avid runner, or enjoy playing basketball. You may be a dedicated athlete or someone who’s active on weekends. Whatever your routine, many sports that require fast moves and quick reaction time bring with them the possibility of foot and ankle injuries.
Our Wichita podiatrist, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, is skilled at diagnosing and treating sports-related foot injuries. Our team at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates is dedicated to returning you to your activities as safely and as quickly as possible. Here, we discuss common sports injuries and available treatment options and how the right diagnosis and proper treatment can make the difference between a temporary setback and a more serious problem.
Common Sports-Related Foot Injuries and Their Symptoms
Any type of sport can put a lot of stress and pressure on your ankles and feet. Because many sports require fast moves, dexterity, and quick changes in direction, your feet and ankles are vulnerable to injury. Here are some common injuries you may face if you enjoy playing sports:
Stress fracture. This hairline crack in the bone can occur when you participate in high-impact sports and your bones are placed under excessive, repetitive stress and strain. A stress fracture may feel like localized pain that gets worse while you play and feels better when you stop. If you don’t get the right treatment, a stress fracture can become a complete fracture and need more extensive treatment and a longer time to recover.
Ankle sprains. This type of injury occurs when the ligaments that support your ankle are stretched too far or tear. People who play soccer, tennis, and basketball often experience this type of injury because they need to make quick directional changes. Symptoms of an ankle sprain may include bruising, swelling, ankle instability, and pain.
Plantar fasciitis. This injury affects many runners and athletes who participate in high-impact sports. Symptoms include a stabbing heel pain, especially first thing in the morning. The pain is caused from inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis may feel like a bruise or ache in the arch that makes it difficult to walk without pain.
Achilles tendinitis. This injury develops when the large tendon connecting your calf muscles to your heel becomes inflamed. Distance runners and those who engage in sports that require sudden bursts of activity face higher risks of this condition. Pain typically begins as a mild ache above the heel and can progress to severe pain if left untreated.
Turf toe. This injury is a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. It happens when the big toe joint is hyperextended during quick push offs or sudden stops and is common during sports that are played on artificial surfaces, including football and soccer. The condition causes pain, swelling, and limited movement in the big toe joint.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Your Sports Injury
When you experience a sports-related foot injury, proper diagnosis is critical to your safe and quick recovery. Dr. Weaver uses various diagnostic techniques to identify the precise nature and extent of your injury and offers a variety of treatments for your injury. After a physical exam of your foot and ankle, Dr. Weaver will assess your range of motion, ankle/foot stability, and any structural problems, and he may recommend any of the following treatments:
Conservative Treatments
Conservative treatment is often the first approach for most sports-related foot injuries. The RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) reduces inflammation and pain immediately after injury. Dr. Weaver might recommend temporary activity modification, custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues, or physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility without surgical intervention.
Advanced Therapies
More advanced therapies offer alternatives when standard approaches don't produce the desired results. These might include cortisone injections to reduce inflammation, shockwave therapy to stimulate healing in chronic tendon conditions, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments that use components from your own blood to accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is usually the last method recommended for sports-related injuries but may be necessary for severe injuries or conditions unresponsive to conservative measures. Procedures range from minimally invasive techniques with small incisions and faster recovery times to traditional open surgeries for complex reconstructions. Dr. Weaver will explain the specific procedure recommended for your condition, including expected recovery timeframes and outcomes.
Let Our Team Get You Back in the Game
If you’re suffering from a foot/ankle injury, let Dr. Weaver assess the problem. Our Wichita podiatric team is here to help get you on your feet and back in the game as soon as it’s safely possible. Read our patient testimonials to see how we’ve helped others with their sports-related injuries.