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1st
appeared 12 April 1999
Foot and Ankle Injuries in Spring Sports and
Tips to Prevent Them
Foot and ankle injuries are common in spring sports, especially running, tennis, and
soccer. However sports enthusiasts can decrease risk of injury by taking some precautions,
says a UCSF expert.
"Common foot and ankle injuries in spring sports include sprains, strains, and stress
fractures or bone injuries," says Keith Donatto, UCSF assistant clinical professor of
orthopaedic surgery and chief of the UCSF Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Clinic, part of UCSF
Stanford Health Care. "Many of these injuries are overuse injuries -- injuries that
result from inadequate conditioning or excessive training that places too much stress on
the foot and ankle."
Running and tennis injuries include ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar
fasciitis. Ankle sprains, a partial or complete tear of any of the ligaments responsible
for supporting and stabilizing the ankle joint, usually result from stepping on an uneven
surface and having the foot turn awkwardly. Injury to the Achilles tendon, the strongest
and largest tendon that connects the back of the calf muscle to the heel bone occurs from
overuse and is usually an acute inflammation or a partial tear. It is also common for the
plantar fascia, the tough tissue that maintains the arch of the foot and runs from the
heel to the toes, to become inflamed, resulting in heel pain or arch pain.
Runners may also experience injury to the tendons or ligaments located on the outside and
inside of the ankle and stress fractures of the foot bones. In running, any one incident
may not be enough to cause a fracture of the foot but, over time, repetition of abnormal
forces or stress can cause the bone to weaken or break.
"Five to 15 percent of all running injuries are stress fractures. Of those injuries,
49 percent occurred in those who ran between 25 miles to 44 miles per week," says
Donatto.
Unlike foot and ankle injuries in tennis and running,
which are usually overuse injuries, soccer injuries often result from trauma such as a
direct blow to the lower leg. Because soccer is a contact sport, collision injuries from
striking another player are common, accounting for 30 percent of all soccer injuries, adds
Donatto.
Treatment for these injuries varies depending on the severity of the injury. Most strains
and sprains can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Moderate to severe
cases, however, may require some form of immobilization such as a brace or a cast. Certain
injuries that do not heal within the expected time frame may require surgery.
"It is important to seek medical attention as soon
as possible for foot and ankle injuries." says Donatto. "Prompt and appropriate
treatment and rehabilitation ensures the best possible recovery."
To prevent foot and ankle injuries in spring sports, Donatto recommends the following:
Warm up prior to any sports activity.
Condition your muscles for the sport. The amount of
time spent on the activity should be increased gradually over a period of weeks to build
both muscle strength and mobility.
Stretch for at least ten to fifteen minutes before
participating in the sport. Do not use a "bouncing motion" when stretching your
muscles. Rather, hold the stretch.
Choose athletic shoes that fit specifically to your
foot type. People whose feet pronate or who have low arches should choose shoes that
provide support in both the front of the shoe and under the arch. The heels should also be
very stable. Those with a stiffer foot or high arches should choose shoes with more
cushion and a softer platform.
Use sport-specific shoes. Cross training shoes are an
overall good choice, however it is best to use shoes designed for the sport.
Replace athletic shoes when the tread wears out or
the heels wear down. People who run regularly should replace shoes every six months, more
frequently for avid runners.
Avoid running or stepping on uneven surfaces.
Limit running uphill.
Soccer players who have experienced ankle injuries
previously may benefit from using a brace or tape to prevent recurrent ankle injuries.
If you experience foot and ankle pain during a sport,
stop the activity or modify the activity until the pain subsides.
If you have been injured, you should go through a
period of rehabilitation and training before returning to the sport to prevent recurrent
injuries.
The UCSF Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Clinic is a
comprehensive multi-disciplinary program that treats all types of foot and ankle
disorders. A team of orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists, physical therapists, and certified
pedorthists specializing in evaluation and management of simple and complex disorders of
the foot and ankle work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan tailored to each
individual patient's needs. For more information on the UCSF Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle
Clinic, call 415/353-7200.
Links:
UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery
UCSF Stanford Health Care
UCSF Stanford orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Surgery Moves and
Expands
Source: Lordelyn P. del Rosario,
News Services |
