Injuries to the Foot Foot and ankle problems

Injuries to the Foot

• Foot and ankle problems are among the most common health concerns in the US – ¾ of Americans will experience a foot injury/problem in their life • Facts – Podiatry is the study of feet – 150 lb person runs 3 miles – each foot will have an impact of 150 tons – Without athletic stress – foot problems contribute to problems in the knees, hips, and lower back – Healthy feet are critical to a successful fitness program

Ankle Sprains • Sprains are the most common reason people visit the Orthopedic Dr and the ER – 45% of basketball injuries are the ankle • 80% of ankle sprains are from excessive inversion – Most common is the talo-fibular ligament – Least common – eversion because the deltoid ligament is so strong

• Degrees of an ankle sprain – 1 st Degree: Ligament is stretched • • Minor discomfort Point tenderness Little or no swelling No abnormal movement

– 2 nd Degree: Part of ligament is torn • Pain & Swelling • Loss of function • Abnormal movement of joint – 3 rd Degree: Completely torn • • • Joint instable Extreme pain no pain at all (nerve damage) Loss of function Rapid swelling Possible fracture accompanies it

• Treatment: – PRICE – Splint, tape, or brace will protect from further injury – If it causes pain – DON’T do it – Ice A LOT for the 1 st 24 hours – Compression bandage

• Rehabilitation – Range of Motion exercises – Stretch muscles – Strength muscles

Arch Sprain • The arch contributes to balance, movement, support, and shock absorption – All 3 arches can be sprained – If arch is weak – it can’t absorb the shock • The following can lead to arch problems: – Overuse – Overweight – Fatigue – Training on hard surfaces – Poor shoes

• Signs/Symptoms – Pain when bearing weight – Bruising/swelling on top of foot • Treatment – ICE – Support

Blisters • Can occur on any part of body with friction – Most common on feet • As layers of skin rub together, friction causes separation between the layers – Body responds with fluid – Fluid creates pressure on nerves (pain) – It it breaks – now its an open wound and susceptible to infection – Do NOT ignore • This minor injury remove from your sports

• Treatment – The goal is to: • Relieve Pain • Keep from getting bigger • Avoid infection – Do not remove skin unless its flapping • Putting a bandaid on it doesn’t work • Create a raised surface around blister

Turf Toe • Definition: hyperextension of big toe – Sprain the metatarsophalangeal ligament • Big Toe is very important for balance, movement and speed

• Treatment – PRICE – X-ray to rule out fractures

Plantar Fasciitis • Plantar Fascia – ligament that connect heel to toes – Supports the arch • Can be strained by: – Overuse – Unsupportive footwear – Tight Achilles tendon – Running on hard surfaces – Chronic irritation • Long distance runners • Basketball/volleyball from jumping and landing

• Experience pain from bottom of foot to the heel • IF untreated: – Bone imbalance, heel spurs, muscle strains, and shin splints • Treatment: – Correct your training errors – Ice and massage – Wear correct shoes – Add cushion or inserts to shoes

Heel Spur • Definition: bony growth on calcaneus causing inflammatory response in soft tissue • Signs/Symptoms: – pain • Treatment: – Tape Arch or use supports – Anti-inflammatory – Possible surgery

Heel Bruise • The heel consists of ligaments, tendons, and fat pads – All subject to stress and injury • Definition: Contusion on the heel bone • Can be very disabling • Treatment – ICE

Fractures • Immediately impair the ability to perform competitively • Sign/symptoms: – Pain – point tender – Bruising – Swelling – Can’t bear weight (unless its fibula) • Treatment – Ice and seek a doctor

Ingrown toenail • Definition: nail has grown into skin of toe – Leads to pain and/or infection • Causes – Shoes to tight – Toenails clipped incorrectly • Treatment – Soak foot in warm epson salt solution multiple times a day – Cut it out

Athlete’s Foot • Definition: fungal infection of the foot • Very contagious • Signs/Symptoms – Extreme itching, blisters, rash • Treatment – OTC antifungal creams