Whether you’re engaged in summer sports or other athletic activities, injuries are always a risk. Even if you are in good health and take steps to protect your feet and ankles, the unexpected can still occur. You can treat athletic injuries with your foot doctor Boca Raton.
Learn about the most common foot and ankle injuries for athletes and learn where to find the best foot doctor Boca Raton.
Stress Fractures from Summer Athletics
Stress fractures are relatively common for athletes. They are caused by overuse and repetitive motion. You can get treatment for a stress fracture with your foot doctor Boca Raton.
If you have structural abnormalities or if you are overweight, then the risk of developing a stress fracture is increased. The most obvious symptoms include swelling around the ankle, pain when walking or running, intense pain while exercising, and in some cases bruising around the site of the injury.
Your foot doctor Boca Raton can diagnose a stress fracture with an evaluation of your symptoms, physical examination, and advanced imaging like bone scanning, x-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment can include rest, supportive medication to reduce pain and swelling, and medical devices like special boots. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary. It’s important to treat stress fractures early, so call your foot doctor Boca Raton today if you are experiencing symptoms.
Ankle Sprains
Tens of thousands of ankle sprains are reported to podiatrists every day. Sprains are caused by excessive stretching of the ligaments surrounding ankle joints. If sprains go untreated, they can compromise your athletic performance and leave lingering pain. Repeat sprains can cause ankle instability which may require surgical treatment with your foot doctor Boca Raton.
Symptoms can intensify depending on the extent of the injury. Take note of any swelling, bruising, or tenderness when touching the area around your ankle. Pain is the most obvious symptom. It becomes more noticeable when placing weight on the affected ankle. You will likely notice that your range of motion is restricted. Some sprains produce a popping sound or sensation when the injury occurs.
Ankle sprains can often be treated with rest, compression, elevation, and the application of ice packs to reduce swelling. It can take weeks of rest before your ankle heals. It’s important to have a suspected sprain evaluated by your foot doctor Boca Raton so that you can follow the best treatment method and quickly get back to the summer athletics that you enjoy.
Treating Achilles Tendon Ruptures with Your Foot Doctor Boca Raton
If you regularly exercise with sports or other athletic activities, you could suffer from an Achilles tendon rupture. This condition occurs when the tendon at the back of the lower leg ruptures partially. In more extreme cases, the tendon can be completely ruptured and may require surgical intervention.
The symptoms include pain and swelling at the heel, a loss of motion, and the inability to stand on the affected ankle. A popping or snapping sound may be noticeable when the injury occurs. Ruptures will also prevent you from stepping off the injured ankle or pointing your foot downward.
Your foot doctor Boca Raton will diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture with a physical examination. An MRI scan or ultrasound may be used to determine the extent of the injury. Treatment for pain and discomfort involve immobilization, the application of ice and cold packs, and over-the-counter pain relief. To rest the tendon and allow healing, crutches, or a special boot may be necessary.
Severe cases that require surgery can be treated with a procedure to reconnect the tendon. Minimally invasive procedures are possible in most cases, greatly reducing the risk of infection and other complications.
Contact Your Boca Raton Foot Doctor for Summer Athletics Injuries
Whether occurring in the summer or at any other time of year, foot, athletic injuries and ankle injuries should be referred to your podiatrist Boca Raton. With expert training and diagnostic procedures, you’ll get the best medical advice and a pathway to recovery.
If you are experiencing pain, loss of mobility, inflammation, or other symptoms, contact your foot doctor Boca Raton for summer athletics injury treatment today. The experts at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center are standing by to provide the best care and treatment.
