Sports Injuries

Many things can cause a foot injury, including bad luck or a freak occurrence. Usually, however, the most common cause is overuse or overactivity. The affected muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone is simply worn out under the pressure of frequent physical exertion. Accidents are another contributing source of sports injuries. The type of sport can elevate the risk for certain injuries as well. For instance, ankle sprains are notoriously prevalent among basketball players, due to the repeated running, jumping, and cutting movements made during games. Many runners suffer from heel spurs, because of the constant stress their heel bones are subjected to. While wearing improper footwear or exercising on uneven surfaces won’t necessarily cause injury, it can make it much more likely to happen.   

Sports injuries can be successfully prevented most of the time if you take the following precautions:

 • Wear proper shoes for the specific type of activity and make sure it fits well (not too tight or loose)

 • Wear protective gear appropriate to the activity

 • Don’t play or exercise on surfaces that are uneven or damaged

 • Resist the urge to “go past the pain” when you exercise or play, as this greatly contributes to overuse injuries

 • Get sufficient rest after intense physical activity

 • Take your time in recovering from a previous injury—coming back too soon will only increase your risk of re-injury

 • Use proper techniques for movement

 • Be sure to warm up and stretch before you play or exercise

 • Stop playing or exercising if you’re feeling exhausted or dehydrated

You can treat a sports injury at home as long as your symptoms are mild enough and the trauma is not extensive. However, it is advised that you see a doctor right away just to be on the safe side. You don’t want to risk dismissing a serious injury as a minor one, as this can lead to unpleasant and unexpected health issues down the road. The recommended home treatment will depend on the type of foot injury that you have.  

You should see your doctor or podiatrist right away if:

 • The pain is very intense and you can’t move your foot, or there is intense pain every time you move your foot

 • Your foot is suffering from severe discoloration and/or swelling

 • Your foot has changed shape and position due to the injury

 • Your symptoms have not improved or have gotten worse despite the recommended home treatment

Even if your foot injury doesn’t seem serious, you should still see your doctor right away for a definitive diagnosis. Being prudent and getting the confirmation that nothing is broken or torn can go a long way in ensuring your peace of mind. 

All sports injuries, no matter how benign, will at least require sufficient rest and inactivity in order to fully heal. Continuing to engage in strenuous physical exercise after an injury will only increase the damage to your feet. Over-the-counter medications or home remedies may be unnecessary depending on your symptoms, but rest and inactivity are non-negotiable for an effective recovery. 

Even initially benign sports injuries can lead to serious health problems if they are allowed to worsen under lack of treatment. Possible complications include but are not limited to:

 • Chronic pain

 • Bone fractures

 • Chronic progressive conditions such as arthritis

 • Permanent impairment of mobility

 • Lasting disfigurement of the foot (skin, shape, position, toenails)

 • Secondary infections from blisters and other injuries on the skin of the foot 

 • Increased risk for repeated injury

 • Tissue degeneration of the affected bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, or joint 

Treatment will be prescribed based on the diagnosed foot condition, the type and extent of your symptoms, and your previous health history. Your doctor or podiatrist may recommend the following:

 • Orthotic shoe inserts or special orthotic footwear

 • Corrective or protective devices such as braces, splints, casts, etc

 • Ultrasound

 • Topical or oral medications (for pain or for infections) 

 • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy/ESWT (to stimulate the healing of tissue with the use of sound waves)

 • Radiofrequency ablation (to disable the nerve sending the pain signals) 

 • Physical therapy (balance, strength, and flexibility training)

 • Anti-inflammatory medications (both steroidal and non-steroidal)

 • Surgery

A full recovery from a sports injury will require sufficient time, patience, and corrective treatment. Though the risk of injury will never completely disappear, you can effectively keep your feet healthy and pain-free by always listening to your body and following common-sense guidelines.