Sports Injuries

Active people depend on healthy feet and ankles to keep them in the game. Whether your favorite pastime is hiking, distance running, soccer, basketball, or anything else, healthy feet is a foundational requirement for maintaining your lifestyle.

Unfortunately, feet and ankles are among the most likely body parts to be affected by an injury. Partly, that’s a consequence of the enormous amount of pressure and force they must absorb when running, cutting, jumping and landing. But it’s also a reflection of the fact that athletes don’t always know how to best protect and care for them either.

If you’ve suffered an injury to your feet or ankles and it’s keeping you from enjoying or participating in daily activities, the last thing you want to do is ignore it. Tucson Foot and Ankle Institute can provide effective treatment to not only get you back on your feet, but prevent future injuries and reduce the risk of developing chronic pain.

Common foot and ankle sports injuries

Foot and ankle injuries generally fall into one of two broad categories. Traumatic or acute injuries happen suddenly, usually as the result of a forceful impact—like a broken bone. On the other hand, chronic or overuse injuries develop slowly over time due to repetitive wear and tear.

Most people are more likely to underestimate or ignore overuse injuries, but don’t be one of them. These types of injuries can be just as serious, and sometimes even more damaging to your long-term health if not treated properly.

Examples of common sports injuries we treat include:

Ankle sprains
Heel pain (usually plantar fasciitis in adults, and Sever’s disease in adolescents)
Pain in the arch or ball of the foot
Achilles tendon injuries (tendinitis, tendinosis, or even ruptures)
Broken bones
Muscle strains and pulls
Stress fractures
Shin splints
Stubbed or sprained toes
Toenail injuries (black toenails, ingrown toenails)

Comprehensive treatment options—from basic to advanced

Each sports injury is a little different, and so are the individual lifestyle goals of each patient. At Tucson Foot and Ankle Institute, we are here to support you with innovative care options and custom treatment plans optimized for your personal needs.

For example:

Equipment changes. Many athletes, unfortunately, wear inappropriate shoes for their activity. Maybe they’re for the wrong sport, or don’t fit properly, or are just plain worn out and not providing adequate shock absorption. The right pair of shoes, however, can significantly reduce pain and injury risk.
Activity modification. Daily activity is crucial for maintaining health, but certain repetitive activities may cause pain. It may be in your best interest to avoid exercising on hard surfaces or rough terrain, or to cross-train in multiple activities focusing on different areas of the body (and not all high-impact).
Stretching and physical therapy. Various exercises, stretches, strength training regimens, and even massage techniques are often important components of a successful sports injury treatment and rehabilitation program.
Custom orthotics. Structural or mechanical flaws in feet and ankles can increase the daily strain on various joints and tissues—not only in the feet and ankles themselves, but all the way up the legs and back. Custom orthotics are often one of the best ways for active people to add support and shock absorption and improve foot mechanics to avoid injury.

Advanced treatments. Our office is proud to offer some of the latest cutting-edge treatment technologies, including laser pain therapy, radiofrequency nerve ablation, shockwave therapy, PRP therapy, and amniotic tissue injections. Treatments such as these are highly effective at treating even the most stubborn chronic injuries and significantly reducing recovery time.

Whatever your situation, we will help you get the treatment you need so you can continue to be as active as you want to be, as long as you want to be! To schedule an appointment with our team, please give us a call at (520) 545-0202 today.