Ankle sprains account for 30% of all injuries treated in sports medicine clinics, but anyone who leads an active life can sustain sports injuries. The podiatry specialists at Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists have extensive experience diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating all sports injuries in your foot and ankle. Don’t wait to seek help; early treatment can get you back in the game faster. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Mission Viejo or Laguna Hills, California, or book online today.
Your feet and ankles withstand extreme pressure with daily walking. However, you significantly increase the load every time you run, jump, perform quick movements, or get active on hard or uneven surfaces.
The sports injuries most often occurring include:
Some of these conditions occur suddenly (an acute injury), while others develop gradually as you repeatedly make the same movements (an overuse injury).
Foot and ankle injuries cause symptoms such as:
Though you can wait a few days to see if your symptoms improve, an early medical exam ensures you receive proper treatment for fractures and sprains.
As soon as possible after your injury, start using the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Elevating your foot, applying ice (up to 20 minutes every hour), and wrapping your foot and ankle in a compression bandage helps to reduce the pain and swelling. However, you should only use the RICE protocol in the first 24-36 hours after your injury.
Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists create a customized treatment plan based on your injury and future activity goals. However, they always start with the most appropriate conservative therapy.
You may need to rest your foot, wear a brace or walking boot, have a steroid injection, and change your activities. As soon as possible, the team starts your physical therapy and rehabilitation, including sport-specific exercises.
Depending on the underlying problem, your provider may prescribe customized orthotics. They design your orthotics to correct structural or gait issues and prevent future injuries.
Some sports injuries may need immediate surgery. For example, your provider may need to clean a severe wound and realign the bones after a complex fracture. Likewise, if you have a severe ankle sprain with ankle instability, you may need surgery to strengthen your ankle and prevent chronic instability.
When you need expert care for a sports injury, call Artisan Foot and Ankle Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.
