Podiatrists often see patients who have experienced a foot or ankle injury while playing sports. Popular sports such as running, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, and dance can be particularly hard on the feet and ankles. Strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones of the lower limbs from overtraining and repetitive motions can lead to overuse injuries. Acute trauma to the feet or ankles while playing sports or training are also common. Some of the sports injuries that podiatrists frequently diagnose and treat include plantar fasciitis, turf toe, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, ankle sprains, and Achilles tendonitis.
If you are an athlete, you may be tempted to ignore the symptoms of a foot or ankle injury in favor of continuing to train and participate in your sport. This is ill-advised, as the pain or discomfort you are experiencing is the first sign that something is wrong and needs to be checked out by a professional. Left untreated, even seemingly mild injuries, such as a grade one ankle sprain, can progressively worsen, become chronic conditions, and increase the likelihood of reinjury. Common symptoms of a foot or ankle injury that should never be ignored include pain, swelling, and bruising.
If you are involved in sports and experience any foot or ankle pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. A podiatrist can determine the nature and extent of your injury, offer treatment options, and advise you on how to prevent sports-related foot and ankle injuries in the future.
