Stretching and cool-down exercises are a very important part of a workout regime. If you didn’t know that, most likely you have encountered an episode or two of sports related injuries. Moreover, sports injuries are pretty common in children as well. If you are searching for a reliable sports injuries treatment, then this post might be of great help. 

Let’s discuss the types of sports injuries and treatment options available for foot and ankle pain related to such a type of sports injury.

Types of sports injuries

Based on the symptoms and complications, sports injuries can be categorized in the following ways:

• Strain and sprain: We have ligaments and tendons in our body that connect muscles to our skeleton and support the mechanics of our movements. When you overstretch, the ligaments or tendons get torn which results in strain and sprain. 

• Foot and ankle fractures: If you play contact sports that are physically strenuous, you are at risk to break bones which are commonly referred to as fractures. 

• Dislocations: Excessive pressure on the joints due to extreme physical activity or an injury may lead to the bones popping out of the socket, which is known as dislocation. 

• Rotator cuff injury: When you feel difficulty in moving the shoulder in every direction,  that could be due to the rotator cuff  being  torn or injured. 

• Ruptured Achilles tendon: Severe pain in the back of the ankle may  be due to   a broken or ruptured Achilles tendon which is located at the back of the ankle. 

Symptoms of sports injuries

Sprain and strains are pretty common among athletes. However, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the symptoms listed below:

• Lumps and bumps are clearly visible
• Pain is associated with swelling and redness
• Joint movements are very painful and make weird sounds
• Difficulty in breathing or instability  

If you notice any of these symptoms, avoid putting pressure on the affected area and talk to a  doctor immediately. 

Treatments for sports injuries

Rest as much as possible and apply ice to the affected area to prevent swelling. It is considered the most common treatment for athletic injuries. You might also take over-the-counter pain medications  if you are experiencing discomfort and pain .  If your symptoms do not improve within 48 hours, or get worse within less than 24 hours, you should go to a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment as there’s a chance of   more severe injuries. 

The two most popular interventions are listed below: 

• Physical Therapy: If you are not feeling better with rest, you can opt for physiotherapy that involves massage and certain exercises to support the body mechanics.If you experience shooting pain you should talk to a podiatrist.

• Foot and ankle surgery:  When massages and icing won’t help, and even a conservative treatment approach are not sufficient  to ease tension or other symptoms , you may require surgery as a treatment  solution. When done by a qualified podiatrist Surgeries are better for faster recovery from injuries. Surgical interventions are often recommended to athletes for the faster repair of the extensively damaged tissues after  an injury.

Final words

Muscle flexibility is important to avoid sports injuries. Seek consultation from a foot and ankle expert to understand the correct way to move or the right footwear choices. If you want to learn more or experience any of the above symptoms , you can book an appointment with our  doctors at the Orange County Foot & Ankle Group. They are equipped with the best knowledge and equipment to treat your sports related injury. Also  board-certified podiatrists are recognized as the best place for bunion surgery in Orange County.