Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
Acute and chronic foot & ankle sports injuries are common amongst people of all age groups and activity levels. It is also a common presentation of pro and semi-pro athletes and sports men and women. We specialise in the accurate diagnosis of your sports injury with the help of our multidisciplinary podiatric team and radiologists
You may have one or more of these symptoms
Sharp / Stabbing pain
Deep aching ankle feeling chronically bruised
Popping
Instability
Swelling with pain
Locking of the joint
Most foot and ankle sports injuries are managed conservatively with ice, rest, braces, splints and air boots and you may return to normal activity levels within a few weeks. However a thorough assessment by a foot & ankle specialist is vital to eliminate serious problems.
X-rays, MRI, Ultrasound and CT scans are commonly used to assess the degree of damage and prognosis of each treatment.
Foot surgery often involves the repair of damage to the foot & ankle which which may have occurred to bone, muscle, tendon, nerve, other soft tissue (such as ligaments). Common sports injury operations include surgery to reconstruct foot & ankle ligaments and tendons, achilles tendon repair, ankle arthroscopy and reconstruction and arthroscopic arthrodesis or fusion surgery to combat symptoms of arthritis.
Common foot and ankle injuries
Stubbing toes
Rolling ankles
Running injuries
How are common foot and ankle injuries assessed?
Stubbing toes
We would need to assess your toe and ensure the bones, joints and tendons are ok. Sometimes this would involve requesting X-rays to rule out a fracture. Often with stubbing toes, the toenail becomes damaged and needs to be removed.
Rolling ankles
There are many structures that can be injured from rolling ankles such as bones, tendons and ligaments. The range of motion in the ankle is examined as well as the common anatomical sites. Imaging is often required to assess all of these structures thoroughly. If you have had a recurrent ankle injury our ankle specialists will typically request an MRI prior to treatment.
Running injuries
Runners often develop injuries. This can affect the foot but also runners develop shin splints or knee pain. The painful area would be identified clinically as imaging is not usually required for running injuries, but it would depend on the severity. Once the pathology is diagnosed a treatment plan can be created. If it is gait related, a gait analysis could be performed to identify problematic areas in the patient’s gait that may be contributing.
How can you treat common foot and ankle injuries?
Stubbing toes
To assist with pain and allow the area to heal, our podiatrists may advise on using an Aircast boot with crutches to offload the area for a few weeks, a therapeutic injection under ultrasound guidance into the joint could also be suggested. If you additionally have a damaged toenail, removal of the toenail and allowing a new one to regrow may be advised.
Rolling ankles
Your ankle specialist may advise on an Aircast boot with crutches so you can mobilse easier and allow the area to heal. Depending on the issue, an ankle brace may be advised. For recurrent ankle issues, or a rupture/ tear to the tendon, surgery could be suggested. An MRI would be required to determine whether this is the case.
Running injuries
– Offloading the foot in an Aircast boot with crutches. If the issue is gait related, our podiatrists can also carry out a specialised gait analysis and biomechanical assessment and prescribe custom orthotics, this can help avoid future running injuries. Stretching exercises may be recommended or a referral to a physiotherapist.
How can I prevent common foot and ankle injuries?
Stubbing toes
Wearing good footwear will help you avoid stubbing your toes. It’s important to also keep your toenails short and filled, this can reduce the risk of a damage nail if you do stub your toe.
Rolling ankles
Wearing good and supportive footwear can be beneficial for people who suffer from a rolling ankle. An ankle brace may be recommended, though it is important to see a podiatrist prior to using a brace, as this can cause issues if used with the incorrect injury/ ankle issue.
Running injuries
Wear appropriate footwear. Custom orthotics can be beneficial depending on the underlying cause.
Frequently asked questions
Where to get a gait analysis?
Our advanced gait analysis system combines multiple technologies to provide the most comprehensive assessment available. We use specialized software designed to achieve precise measurements and detailed analysis of your movement patterns.
Where to get a running gait analysis?
Our advanced gait analysis system combines multiple technologies to provide the most comprehensive assessment available. We use specialized software designed to achieve precise measurements and detailed analysis of your movement patterns.
How do I do a gait analysis at home?
Our advanced gait analysis system combines multiple technologies to provide the most comprehensive assessment available. We use specialized software designed to achieve precise measurements and detailed analysis of your movement patterns.
