Exercise is a wonderful and crucial part of staying healthy. As your podiatrist, our goal is to help you understand and prevent sports-related injuries from occurring; however, despite all the best measures, injuries and trauma can still happen. In fact, about 75 percent of Canadians will experience foot problems at some point in their lives and about 60 percent of all lower extremity injuries are from ankle strains and sprains.
Request an AppointmentBesides strains and sprains in the foot and ankle, the most common sports injuries include:
- Plantar fasciitis : This condition causes inflammation of the thick band of tissue known as the plantar fascia. This is the most common cause of heel pain in athletes. While poor foot structure can often be to blame for the development of plantar fasciitis, poorly fitted shoes and a sudden increase in your workout regime are also risk factors.
- Achilles tendonitis: Athletes are at an increased risk of developing Achilles tendon disorders. This condition causes inflammation and swelling of this lower leg tendon. If left untreated, tendon degeneration can occur. A sudden increase in your activity level can cause micro-tears in the fibers, which leads to the development of Achilles tendonitis.
- Morton’s neuroma: Compressed and irritated nerves can cause a thickening of the nerve tissue found in the ball of the foot. Repetitive motions found in certain sports such as as running and court-played activities are often to blame. Symptoms will appear over time and may fluctuate with your activity levels. However, nerve damage can occur so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Scheduling for Sports Medication
If you are experiencing pain, swelling, redness, tenderness to the touch, or inflammation either on or off the court and field, then it’s time to schedule an appointment. While conservative measures such as rest, icing and over-the-counter pain medications can go a long way to helping you recovery, there are certainly cases that will need more extensive treatments.
During your visit we will provide a thorough physical examination to find out the root cause of your symptoms and then create an individualized treatment plan. Compression, stretching/strengthening exercises and orthotics are the more conservative options we recommended for our patients who are suffering from foot and ankle problems.
For more information on Sports Medicine in the Langley, BC area call Aurora Foot & Ankle Clinic at (604) 248-8985 today!