In podiatry, sports medicine focuses on injuries that affect the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Sports medicine specialists help prevent, treat, and manage foot and ankle injuries. Sports medicine restores function to injured feet and ankles. It also raises your athletic performance by improving your gait (how you walk) and foot strike (how you step).
The foot and ankle surgeons at Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates treat a wide range of sports injuries, including:
The Achilles tendon runs from the back of the heel through the calf. Activities that add stress to the tendon, like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and long-distance running, can cause tiny tears and inflammation.
Without treatment, Achilles tendinitis can rupture the tendon. A rupture is a partial or complete tear that requires surgery.
When the ligaments that support and stabilize the ankle joint stretch too far, too quickly, a sprain occurs. Sprains range from mild to severe and substantially affect your mobility. A significant sprain can even interfere with your ability to bear weight on your ankle. Treating an ankle sprain as early as possible helps prevent complications from repeated sprains.
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone that develops from repetitive pressure on the foot. Stress fractures in the feet can be significant sources of pain and discomfort.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue that stretches from your heel to your toes becomes inflamed and stiff.
Turf toe is a sprain surrounding the primary joint in the big toe. It happens when the toe bends upward too quickly. Football, basketball, soccer, and other sports that require running can increase your risk of developing turf toe.
Diagnosing a sports injury requires a complete physical exam in which your doctor evaluates your gait, movement, and foot function. Your provider will also order X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound to investigate the source of your pain further.
How your doctor at Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates treats your sports injury will depend on the cause. The most common sports medicine treatments they provide include:
Call Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about sports medicine for the foot and ankle.