Most of us have sprained our ankles at some point in our lives. In fact, ankle sprains are the most common sports injuries. That familiar pain, swelling, and bruising serve as reminders that something is wrong. The expertise of a foot sports injury specialist is needed to assess how much damage was done and what course of treatment is best because that sprain could be hiding a more serious bone fracture.
Sprains aren’t the only injuries that athletes have in common. There are three chronic conditions that athletes are susceptible to because of the stress that physical activity places on their feet and ankles.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon is located in the lower leg. It stretches to attach the heel bone to the calf muscles. It is the largest tendon in the human body. Symptoms of irritation or injury include stiffness or tenderness, inflammation, weakness in the leg, and ankle and heel pain. Achilles tendinosis is the progression of tendonitis that leads to the degeneration of the tendon muscle.
Plantar Fasciitis
This refers to heel pain that is caused by the inflammation of the tissues that connect the heel bone to the toes. The most common cause is irregular foot structure but it can also be aggravated by wearing the wrong shoes for your sport or shoes that don’t fit well or provide enough support. Heel pain can also be caused by stress fractures in the heel bone.
Morton’s Neuroma
This thickening of the nerve tissue in the ball of the foot is also referred to as intermetatarsal neuroma and is caused by repeated compression of the foot and nerve irritation. It affects people who run frequently or participate in court sports. People who have this condition report the sensation of having a pebble in their shoe underneath the ball of the foot, burning pain in the ball of the foot, or tingling or numbness in the toes.
Leaving any foot or ankle injury or chronic condition untreated leads to frequent repeated injuries, weakness or instability of the ankles, and arthritis. The foot sports injury specialists at District Foot & Ankle are here to diagnose your injuries and prescribe the most effective course of treatment. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.