Five Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle - The Texas Foot Specialists

Injuries are quite common in athletes. This is because of the physical demands that each sport requires. And one of the most abused parts in any sport is the feet. It is constantly exposed to stress from explosive movements such as jumping, running or quickly changing directions. The foot is one of the most robust structures in the body but it too has its limits. And when it is stretched beyond its limits, foot and ankle injuries can occur.

Five Foot and ankle sports injuries commonly seen in athletes:

1. Ankle sprains. This is usually the result of landing on an uneven surface which results to the foot turning in a bad position. This can result to a partial or complete tear of the ligaments responsible for stabilizing and supporting your ankle joint.
2. Achilles tendon injury. Coined as Achilles tendonitis, this injury to the Achilles tendon. It is often the result of over usage of the tendon. Usually an acute inflammation, the tendon may become ruptured especially if it is already weak.
3. Plantar fasciitis. This is a condition wherein the tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes inflamed. Once there is plantar fasciitis, you may feel pain in your heel or in your arch.
4. Stress fractures. A stress fracture is most common in runners. This is an injury to the tendons and ligaments which are located on the inside and outside of your ankle. This can cause stress in your foot bones. Though a stress fracture does not happen in one event, repetitive stress on the bone may cause it to break. As a matter of fact, 5-15% on all running-related injuries are dedicated to stress fractures and 49% of all injuries are usually seen on those people who ran a range of 25 to 44 miles a week.
5. Turf toe. An athlete can also suffer from a turf toe which is best described as a sprain of the main joint on your big toe. It is painful and will result to limited joint movement in your big toe.

Pain and swelling are the first indication of a possible injury. Although most of the pain felt could be due to a strained muscle, lingering pain could be a sign of a serious foot and ankle injury. When this happens, consult a podiatrist.  Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping athletes suffering from foot and ankle injuries.  

A sport that has relatively high amount of foot and ankle injuries is soccer. Soccer injuries are usually the result of collisions when one player strikes another with a forceful impact. Since soccer can also be an example of a contact sport, a player usually gets a direct blow to his lower leg. This accounts for 20-30% ankle injuries in all of the recorded soccer injuries. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Foot and Ankle Swelling in Pregnancy - The Texas Foot Specialists

A woman’s body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, one of which is swelling of the feet and ankle. Swelling also known as edema is caused by fluid buildup in the tissues. Fluid retention is caused by increased pressure in veins located in your legs and weight of the growing baby.

 Half of all pregnant women suffer swelling in the feet and ankles, especially during the last months of pregnancy. Swelling can be seen in any part of the body. Swelling however is more common in the feet and ankles because it’s the lowest point in the body. Which logically makes it an ideal area for fluid buildup. 

When should you call a doctor? 

Swelling in the feet and ankles is common among women. But swelling can also be caused by other factors outside of pregnancy. This is a very sensitive period in a woman’s life and we must ensure the health of both mother and baby. Consult a podiatrist for anything unusual in the feet. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are podiatrists who specializes in foot care and treating foot disorders.

When swelling is noticed on one leg or is visibly larger, this may not be caused by pregnancy but a blood clot (thrombosis).

Severe edema. Checking for this can be done by pinching the swollen area. If the skin does not go back to its normal shape after a second or leaves an indent then this can be considered severe. It can be an indication of pre-eclampsia. 

Keeping your feet healthy

Swelling in the feet and ankles is common among women but this does not necessarily mean that it could not be avoided. Keeping our feet is a must, with or without pregnancy. Here are simple steps to prevent feet and ankle swelling during pregnancy. 

Minimize the pressure on your feet by minimizing time spent standing or avoid weight bearing activities

• Wear shoes that provide good support
• Ask your doctor for orthotics that helps distribute weight
• Elevate your feet to decrease swelling
• Massage your feet regularly to promote better circulation
• Light feet exercises such as walking improve blood circulation 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping pregnant women with swollen feet and ankles.   To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.