When you suffer from sports injuries of the feet or ankle, it’s important to see an experienced podiatrist as soon as possible. At Dr. Simon Becker DPM You in Elmwood Park and West Orange, New Jersey, skilled podiatry providers are waiting to help with fractures, strains, sprains, tendonitis, and more. Book an appointment online or by phone now.
Sport’s Injuries
What are the most common lower-body sports injuries?
Many sports injuries are the domain of podiatrists because they affect the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Some of the most common sports injuries are:
Ankle sprains
Ankle sprains occur when your ankle bends too much, triggering ligament stretching or tears. Sprains can be painful, and might also cause swelling and bruising.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis affects your body’s biggest tendon, the Achilles tendon that extends down your calf and into your ankle. Overuse or sudden exercise increases can trigger Achilles tendonitis, which causes serious pain and ankle instability.
Stress fractures
Stress fractures are small cracks in bone. Repetitive force, like jumping and distance running, causes stress fractures. They might not hurt badly at first, but stress fractures can grow into full breaks that cause severe pain and instability.
Shin splints
Shin splints, a repetitive use injury, cause pain in the front or inner part of your lower legs. Shin splints are common in distance runners, but they can affect anyone who is physically active.
Turf toe
Turf toe happens when your big toe bends too far back that the toe ligaments get sprained. Turf toe can be painful and might restrict toe movement. This injury is common in soccer players, football kickers, and also dancers.
Sports injuries can affect any of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones. Your Dr. Simon Becker DPM podiatrist can diagnose and treat sports injuries in your legs, feet, and ankles promptly and effectively.
How are sports injuries treated?
Sports injury treatment at Dr. Simon Becker DPM varies by patient, based on your issues and condition. Noninvasive treatments are often quite effective. Early treatments may include:
- Strengthening exercises
- Taping
- Custom orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Anti-inflammatory or steroid injections
If noninvasive treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, surgery might be the best option. The Dr. Simon Becker DPM podiatrists are experienced in minimally invasive procedures like Tenex Health TX™ for chronic tendon pain. (jiriecaribbean.com) Procedures done with Tenex Health TX have only a 3mm microincision, which allows for faster recovery and less pain.
How can I prevent a sports injury?
Follow your podiatrist’s recommendations to stay healthy while playing the sport you enjoy. Usually, this means wearing supportive shoes, always wearing your safety equipment, and starting the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) plan as soon as you have any pain.
Use the online appointment maker or call the Dr. Simon Becker DPM office nearest you to get sports injury help now.