Foot and ankle injuries can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Foot and ankle sprains are a common type of foot injury that is typically caused by everyday activities such as walking or running for extended periods. These injuries are common in sports. They can be caused by a lot of things, including impact with the ground or contact with another person’s foot. These injuries vary from athlete to athlete. If you’ve suffered a foot or ankle injury while playing sports, below are the three things you should do:
1. Rest Your Foot Or Ankle
The first thing you should do is rest your foot or ankle. Foot and ankle injuries are typically caused by impact with the ground- so it’s important to let your body recover properly before returning to action. If there aren’t any broken bones, this will help decrease swelling of the ligaments surrounding the ankles which can help decrease the amount of pain you’re in.
2. Use Ice To Reduce Swelling And Pain
Foot and ankle injuries should be treated with ice. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Foot sprains that are not properly cared for can lead to other health problems; therefore you must take the time to care for your foot or ankle injury properly.
3. Compression And Elevation
Foot and ankle injuries should be elevated while resting to decrease swelling. Foot sprains that are not properly cared for can lead to other health problems; therefore you must take the time to care for your foot or ankle injury properly. Foot and ankle sprains can also be relieved by putting compression wraps on your feet or ankles because it reduces swelling that’s caused by broken blood vessels.
It is important to be aware that a foot or ankle injury can happen during sports. If you have this injury, the first thing you should do is rest your injured body part and ice it to reduce swelling and pain. You may also want to use compression and elevation if needed. Foot and ankle sprains should be checked by a doctor to help determine if there is any nerve or tendon damage, which would require further treatment after an initial diagnosis is made. Tell us how we can best assist you by getting in touch today.
Injuries to the foot and ankle are among one of the most frequently occurring musculoskeletal injuries. The ankle can be injured doing fairly simple tasks such as walking on uneven surfaces, but it’s usually more severe when people play sports; sprains or fractures often result from these activities. Dr. Stephen Chen is a specialist in treating foot and ankle injuries for athletes and active adults throughout the San Francisco East Bay Area. He provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!