Sports Injuries Care and Treatment

What You Need to Know

Learn how we diagnose and treat sports injuries of the foot and ankle.

Sports Medicine for Foot and Ankle Injuries

Podiatrists have training in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Sports injuries encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the lower extremities that occur during athletic activities. These injuries can result from acute trauma, repetitive stress, or overuse during sports participation.

Common sports-related conditions we treat include foot and ankle fractures, ankle sprains (including high ankle sprains), muscle strains, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, leg cramps, shin splints, flexor tendon injury, cuboid syndrome, osteochondral lesions (talar dome lesions), turf toe, sesamoid injuries, and peroneal tendon injuries.

Some of the most common reasons to see a podiatrist after a sports injury are moderate or severe bruising, weakness in the leg or foot, pain or difficulty bearing weight, feeling like your leg, ankle, or foot may give out, fractures, swelling, decreased range of motion, and heel pain.

Podiatrists perform a variety of orthopedic tests and assessments to diagnose sports injuries. We have digital X-rays available on-site and can refer you for additional imaging (like an MRI) if needed. Exams are thorough and efficient, so you can get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment as soon as possible.

Treatment, Recovery, and Return to Play

Since the severity of sports injuries varies widely, we work with you to determine the best course of treatment based on your symptoms, diagnosis, and goals for returning to play. Treatment is thorough and incorporates a mix of passive therapies (like ice, heat, shockwave therapy, MLS Laser Therapy, and taping) along with active rehab and physical therapy to speed up your healing.

For fractures and other serious injuries, we provide treatment to repair the damage before rehabbing your muscles and joints in order to help you get back to the gym or on the field. Initial treatment for many acute injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), along with activity modification and supportive footwear or bracing when needed.

Specific conditions may call for targeted approaches. Turf toe often responds to RICE, a stiff-sole shoe, or a walking boot (cam walker), with surgery reserved for severe ligament rupture or prolonged pain. Osteochondral lesions may be managed with immobilization, NSAIDs, physical therapy, an ankle brace, or PRP injections, with surgical options such as microfracture, cartilage repair, or osteochondral grafting in more severe cases.

You also receive help to identify and improve areas of weakness that may have contributed to your injury in order to prevent future pain. Your podiatrist can help you determine the best shoes for your sport of choice in order to reduce your risk of injury, too. Our specialists handle mild to severe injuries and can provide fast and effective treatment to help you get out of pain and heal as quickly as possible.