What are sports injuries?
Sports injuries occur due to strenuous physical activity. Anyone can experience a sports injury, but they’re especially common in children and teenagers.
You’re more likely to experience a sports injury if:
- You don’t exercise regularly
- You don’t warm up properly
- You play contact sports
- You don’t wear adequate protective gear
If you or a loved one suffers a sports injury, don’t wait to seek professional treatment. Early intervention can lower your risk of complications and encourage your body’s natural healing process.
What are some common sports injuries?
The team at Sarasota Foot Care Center treats a variety of common sports injuries, including:
- Sprains and strains
- Swollen muscles
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Plantar fasciitis
- Morton’s neuroma
Additionally, the team treats sports injuries that cause foot pain, heel pain, and ankle pain.
Who is at risk of sports injuries?
Anyone can experience a sports injury, but several factors increase your risk, including being middle-aged or older, being overweight, and failing to warm up or cool down.
A lack of care can also play a role. For example, many sports injuries occur due to overuse. If you experience pain or discomfort while exercising, listen to your body. Instead of pushing through the pain, visit Sarasota Foot Care Center as soon as possible.
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose a sports injury, your podiatrist at Sarasota Foot Care Center reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, including how often you exercise, if you warm up properly, and what events triggered your injury.
After gathering this information, your provider conducts a comprehensive physical exam. This includes a visual inspection of your feet, ankles, and toes; a series of strength and range-of-motion exercises; a gait analysis; and diagnostic imaging, such as an onsite digital X-ray or ultrasound.
Your provider uses these measures to pinpoint the source of your pain and develop a custom care plan.
How are sports injuries treated?
Treatment for sports injuries depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your quality of life.
Usually, the team at Sarasota Foot Care Center recommends conservative, holistic treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol), getting plenty of rest, taking over-the-counter pain medication, and wearing proper protective equipment.
If your injury persists or gets worse, you might benefit from:
- Physical therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Custom orthotics
- Braces or splints
- Corticosteroid injections
If your sports injury is unable to heal on its own, surgical intervention may be necessary. The team at Sarasota Foot Care Center uses arthroscopy to conduct minimally invasive surgeries.
Schedule a sports injury appointment at Sarasota Foot Care Center today. Call or book a consultation online.
