Sports Medicine and Sports Injuries

What You Need To Know

Understanding common sports injuries and how our podiatrists treat them.

Sports Injury Care for Active Patients

Podiatrists have training in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Our podiatrists have advanced training in the care of sports injuries.

We treat any injury of the lower leg, ankle, or foot, including foot and ankle fractures, ankle sprains (including high ankle sprains), muscle strains, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, leg cramps, shin splints, and flexor tendon injuries. We also evaluate and treat more specialized injuries such as sesamoid injuries, turf toe, and talar dome lesions of the ankle.

Some of the most common reasons to see a podiatrist after a sports injury are moderate or severe bruising, weakness in the leg or foot, pain or difficulty bearing weight, feeling like your leg, ankle, or foot may give out, foot and ankle fractures, swelling, decreased range of motion, and heel pain.

Podiatrists perform a variety of orthopedic tests and assessments to diagnose sports injuries. We have digital X-rays available on-site and can refer you for additional imaging (like an MRI) if needed. Exams are thorough and efficient, so you can get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment as soon as possible.

If you are dealing with pain or a recent injury, do not hesitate to call us or request an appointment online so we can get you back to the activities you love.

Our Approach to Treatment and Recovery

Since the severity of sports injuries varies widely, we work with you to determine the best course of treatment based on your symptoms, diagnosis, and goals for returning to play. Treatment is thorough and incorporates a mix of passive therapies (like ice, heat, shockwave therapy, MLS Laser Therapy, and taping) along with active rehab and physical therapy to speed up your healing.

For acute injuries such as sprains and turf toe, initial treatments often include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as a change to less-flexible footwear. A stiff-sole shoe or walking boot (cam walker) are commonly used, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.

For conditions like sesamoiditis, padding, strapping, or taping may cushion or offload the affected area. Immobilization, physical therapy, steroid injections, and custom orthotic devices may also be part of the plan. For talar dome lesions, an ankle brace may help protect against reinjury if the ankle is unstable.

For fractures and other serious injuries, we repair the damage before rehabbing your muscles and joints. When injuries fail to respond to nonsurgical care, surgery may be required, and our foot and ankle surgeons will determine the procedure best suited to your case.

You also receive help identifying areas of weakness that may have contributed to your injury, and your podiatrist can recommend the best shoes for your sport so you can return to activity with confidence.