Sports Injuries

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries occur while running, playing sports, or doing other physical activities. Anyone can have a sports injury, but they commonly affect those who play contact sports or exercise without warming up or cooling down. 

If you hurt your foot or ankle while exercising, seeing a podiatrist like Dr. Morgan is essential. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and promote the body’s healing process. 

 What sports injuries affect the feet and ankles?

At Blue Sky Foot & Ankle, Dr. Morgan treats various sports injuries, including:

• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Sever’s apophysitis (a pediatric condition where the growth plate at the back of the heel becomes inflammed)
• Achilles tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Chronic lateral ankle instability
• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
• Sesamoiditis (inflammation of the sesamoid bones below the big toe joint)
• Sinus tarsi impingement
• Ankle sprains
• Turf Toe (hyperextension or sprain of the big toe joint)

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

Dr. Morgan reviews your medical records and asks about your injury, including when it happened, where it’s located, and what it feels like. Then, she completes a comprehensive foot and ankle physical exam.

Dr. Morgan checks your foot and ankle for bruising, redness, swelling, and other skin and soft tissue changes. She gently palpates the affected area to identify areas of tenderness and assesses your muscle strength, reflexes, range of motion, ligament stability, and other necessary physical tests. Some sports injuries can be identified with a visual exam, but if Dr. Morgan suspects a more severe injury, like a broken bone, she orders diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CTs.

After identifying the cause and severity of your injury, Dr. Morgan makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How are sports injuries treated?

At Blue Sky Foot & Ankle, Dr. Morgan treats sports injuries with a comprehensive approach. She may suggest:

• Prescription anti-inflammatory medication
• Immobilization with a cast, splint, brace, or walking boot
• Physical therapy to promote strengthening, flexibility, and prevent recurrence
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce pain (only if injury is chronic)

Most sports injuries improve with a combination of treatments, but foot and ankle surgery may be needed if your symptoms fail to improve. Foot and ankle surgical techniques can repair structures and relieve pain.

Call Blue Sky Foot & Ankle today to schedule your evaluation, or book your appointment online.