Everyone loves amazing sports highlights such as “The Most Amazing Hole-in-One Shots” or “The Coolest Things NBA Stars Have Dunked Over.” We like seeing the thrill of victory, but not so much the agony of defeat. Unfortunately, sports injuries can leave plenty of feet in agony, and knowing what can go wrong can help you know when to get treatment, or even prevent the injury from happening in the first place.
Let’s roll the blooper reel of sports injuries to the feet:
Ankle Sprain – An oft-seen injury on fields, the overstretching or tearing of ligaments in the ankle should always be seen and treated soon. Not only is it important to ensure a sprain is not actually a fracture, but proper healing and rehab is needed to reduce the risk of further injury in the future.
Achilles Tendon Problems – The Achilles tendons can take a lot of force during activity and become inflamed. If left untreated, this tendonitis can lead to the tendon degenerating (tendinosis). A tendon can also fully rupture, often felt with a pop and a flash of pain.
Black Toenail – A condition common to runners, a black toenail results from repeated trauma or impact to the toe. This usually means one’s shoes don’t fit well or provide proper toe room, making the toes constantly hit up against the front of them. A black toenail often has a throbbing pain from the blood that pools beneath the nail, and sometimes the nail will fail off.
Morton’s Neuroma – This is a thickening of nerve tissue at the ball of the foot that is caused by compression and irritation. Runners and those who frequently repeat the same moves in court-based sports are at a higher risk for this condition.
Stress Fractures – Too much stress and repetition on the feet can lead to cracks in the bones, causing pain that grows worse with activity, then tends to fade.
Sports injuries, including those above and others, are best avoided by conditioning your feet and ankles, avoiding overuse, and using the right equipment. If pain or problems develop, don’t ignore them. Request an appointment or call Kevin Powers, DPM at (812) 333-4422. Dr. Powers and the friendly staff at his Bloomington office will provide the best treatment to get you safely back into the game.
