Five Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle - The Texas Foot Specialists

Injuries are quite common in athletes. This is because of the physical demands that each sport requires. And one of the most abused parts in any sport is the feet. It is constantly exposed to stress from explosive movements such as jumping, running or quickly changing directions. The foot is one of the most robust structures in the body but it too has its limits. And when it is stretched beyond its limits, foot and ankle injuries can occur.

Five Foot and ankle sports injuries commonly seen in athletes:

1. Ankle sprains. This is usually the result of landing on an uneven surface which results to the foot turning in a bad position. This can result to a partial or complete tear of the ligaments responsible for stabilizing and supporting your ankle joint.
2. Achilles tendon injury. Coined as Achilles tendonitis, this injury to the Achilles tendon. It is often the result of over usage of the tendon. Usually an acute inflammation, the tendon may become ruptured especially if it is already weak.
3. Plantar fasciitis. This is a condition wherein the tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes inflamed. Once there is plantar fasciitis, you may feel pain in your heel or in your arch.
4. Stress fractures. A stress fracture is most common in runners. This is an injury to the tendons and ligaments which are located on the inside and outside of your ankle. This can cause stress in your foot bones. Though a stress fracture does not happen in one event, repetitive stress on the bone may cause it to break. As a matter of fact, 5-15% on all running-related injuries are dedicated to stress fractures and 49% of all injuries are usually seen on those people who ran a range of 25 to 44 miles a week.
5. Turf toe. An athlete can also suffer from a turf toe which is best described as a sprain of the main joint on your big toe. It is painful and will result to limited joint movement in your big toe.

Pain and swelling are the first indication of a possible injury. Although most of the pain felt could be due to a strained muscle, lingering pain could be a sign of a serious foot and ankle injury. When this happens, consult a podiatrist.  Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping athletes suffering from foot and ankle injuries.  

A sport that has relatively high amount of foot and ankle injuries is soccer. Soccer injuries are usually the result of collisions when one player strikes another with a forceful impact. Since soccer can also be an example of a contact sport, a player usually gets a direct blow to his lower leg. This accounts for 20-30% ankle injuries in all of the recorded soccer injuries. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Two Types Of Foot Stress Fractures - The Texas Foot Specialists

Types of foot stress fractures

There are two types of stress fractures, fatigue and insufficiency fractures. Fatigue fractures are the result of repeated stress on the foot that results to an injury beyond the bone’s natural healing ability. An insufficiency fracture on the other hand is caused by a weakened bone structure like those seen in people suffering from osteoporosis.

Stress fractures remain unnoticed until pain becomes unbearable. Therefore early diagnosis is essential to prevent the condition from progressing. A podiatrist is a foot specialist that is highly qualified to identify and treat foot stress fractures. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people suffering from foot injuries.

Stress fractures commonly develop in the weight-bearing bones especially those located in the lower foot. This type of injury can be seen in track and field athletes or just about anyone who participates in activities that place too much stress on the foot.

What causes foot stress fractures?

Stress fractures can be the result of repetitive abuse of the foot during jumps or long distance running. It can also be the result of weakened bones due to an underlying disease.

Symptoms of a foot stress fracture

1. Foot pain that often manifests itself during physical activities and decrease with rest
2. Pain that intensifies over time
3. Swelling and tenderness

Diagnosis of foot stress fractures

Pain is a signal that indicates injury or something abnormal. Foot pain during physical activities can be an indication of foot stress fractures. Consulting with a podiatrist gives you the best chance for early diagnosis and drastically improves prognosis.

Diagnosis starts with a thorough check of your medical history and previous activities. The podiatrist inspects your foot for swelling and tenderness.

A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your condition and performing an examination of the injury and surrounding area. Stress fractures are not easily identified on X-ray until about 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms. More detailed tests such as MRIs, CT scan or bone scans are performed if a podiatrist suspect a stress fracture even after testing negative on X-ray.

Treatment for foot stress fractures

• Rest – reducing pressure on the feet prevents further injury and buys time for it to heal properly
• Ice – this reduces swelling and helps relieve pain
• Pain medications – stick to acetaminophen based pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers may interfere with proper bone healing.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Achilles Tendon Injury hits Nikola Pekovic - The Texas Foot Specialists

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic recently suffered an injured Achilles tendon. It was later announced that the center will be out indefinitely after undergoing a procedure to repair his Achilles' tendon. It is hoped that he will fully recover from the injury and will return to the team.

What is an Achilles tendon injury?

The Achilles' tendon is a band of tissue that can be found at the back of the ankle and above the heels that allows the foot to extend. The Achilles' tendon is also likely to suffer from and injury especially among amateur and professional athletes. It is important that you consult with a podiatrist for the first signs of a foot injury. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

What are the causes of Achilles tendon injury?

Achilles tendon can be injured when a sudden force or stress is applied to it. Activities such as football, tennis, diving, basketball, even running that uses a forceful push can cause an Achilles tendon injury. It can also be damaged by accidents like falling or a deep cut at the back of the ankle. Sometimes an Achilles' tendon become weak making it prone to injuries or rupture. Wearing high heeled shoes is also one of the causes of Achilles tendon injury.

What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury?

Signs and symptoms may come immediately right after a sporting activity or injury. The following are some of the symptoms of Achilles tendon injury:

• The foot is difficult to flex
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• A snapping or popping sound after the accident
• Swelling
• Pain when stretching

What are the treatments for an Achilles tendon injury?

An Achilles tendon injury should be treated immediately. Check with your Podiatrist before any treatment. The following conservative treatments will help the injured tendon to heal naturally:

• To protect your injured Achilles tendon from stretching, using a heel lift is advised.
• Using anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen will relieve the pain and swelling
• Elevate your injured foot using a pillow especially when sitting or lying
• Compressing your injured foot will relieve the swelling
• Apply an ice compact on your injured foot until the pain disappears
• Use crutches to avoid putting extra weight on your injured Achilles tendon

At The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with suffering from foot problems. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.