Ankle / Foot Injuries
Ankle and foot injuries can cripple an athlete. Speed and explosiveness are dependent upon a proper functioning foot. There are five main parts of the ankle and foot that cause athletes pain and keep them on the sidelines: achilles tendon, ankle joint, arch and heel pain, foot and toes. The most common ankle and foot injuries are: xx (mike – I need to know which ones are most important). We’ll cover all of these athletic injuries, provide you with therapy tips and get you competing again in no time!
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendon is the tendon that connects the heel to the lower leg muscles (calf muscle). This tendon is below the skin at the back of the ankle and can easily be seen when you flex your foot. As the strongest tendon in the entire body, it controls the forward and backward movement of the foot. The Achilles tendon is responsible for sprinting, walking, getting up on your tippy-toes – obviously important aspects to athletic endeavors. The most common injury to the Achilles is Achilles tendinitis, which results in pain and swelling and can be caused by overuse, wrong footwear or improper taping. Left untreated tendinitis can result in the rupture of the Achilles tendon.
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Ankle Joint Injuries
While most people consider the ankle joint as one body part, it is actually a combination of three joints that bind the lower leg and foot and provide range of motion for athletic activities. The three joints create multiple axis points for a flexible ankle. The ankle joint (actual name) enables an “up-down” motion. The subtalar joint allows you to walk on the inside and outsides of your feet. And, the transverse tarsal joint provides a “left-right” movement. Ankle joint injuries normally involve ligament sprains from over rotating the ankle joint.
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Arch / Heel Pain
Arch and heel pain go hand in hand as it normally relates to the structure of the foot – in particular the arch. People with high arches or flat feet are more prone to experiencing pain and injuries. Plantar fasciitis, which connects the heel to the toes, is typically the cause of heel pain and will result in inflammation of the midfoot. Stress fractures, tendinitis, nerve irritation and arthritis are other injuries which result in heel and arch pain. When people experience these issues, it compromises proper mechanics and can make walking even difficult.
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Foot Pain
The foot is probably the most under-appreciated part of the body – up until we start experiencing foot pain. The foot bears our weight – no matter how much we put on – and is our own personal transport system. Feet are intricate systems of bones (26), joints (33) and more muscles, tendons and ligaments than we care to count (over 100). With such a complex system working to move us, you can imagine how foot injuries can occur. While many injuries occur as a result of some impact or trauma to the foot, simply getting old or being overweight can be at the root of the pain. The other major factor in foot injuries is improper footwear. You can’t undervalue the importance of good quality footwear in protecting your feet!
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Toe Injuries
Most people don’t realize that the majority of bones in your foot are actually toes. Toes function to keep your balance as well as help you move as you run, walk or sprint. As a result, fractures, dislocations or bruises – all common toe injuries – can seriously affect your performance. Toe injuries can occur through trauma, like stubbing a toe, or through improperly fitting footwear. Normally the treatment will include: padding, taping, rest or special shoes. In some extreme cases, toe surgery may be required.
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