Sports Injuries Specialist

What is a sports injury?

Sports injuries are injuries that happen during exercise or sports activities. Although sports injuries can affect anyone, they are most common among children who participate in school sports. There are a number of different types of sports injuries, including:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Chronic ankle instability
• Heel pain
• Sesamoid bone injuries 
• Ankle sprains
• Strains

Sports injuries can cause a number of alarming symptoms like swelling, bruising, redness, and severe pain. If you experience an injury during physical activity, it’s important to seek medical attention to avoid further damage to the affected area. 

What causes a sports injury?

In most cases, sports injuries are caused by trauma and overuse of your muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, or bones. Overuse of these structures places immense stress on your foot and ankles, increasing your risk of injury. Sports injuries occur when these structures become overstretched, torn, or broken. Injuries like ankle sprains are common in sports like soccer, tennis, and cheerleading. 

The jumping, twisting, and stopping motions required by certain sports can put too much stress on your lower extremities and leave you vulnerable to overstretching and tears. Sports injuries can result in tissue damage that causes pain and limits your physical performance. At InStride Queen City Foot and Ankle Specialists, the team offers a number of treatment options to relieve your pain and help you regain normal function. 

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

The diagnosis of your condition is just as important as your treatment. Accurately diagnosing your sports injury ensures you receive the right treatment and recover in as little time as possible. To perform your diagnosis, Dr. burgess begins with a thorough physical exam, feeling for any tenderness, warmth, and other abnormalities. She may also perform imaging tests like an X-ray and discuss your medical history and past injuries. Once you’ve been diagnosed, Dr. Burgess and her team work with you to develop the right treatment plan for your sports injury. 

How are sports injuries treated?

Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:

• Activity restrictions
• Physical therapy
• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
• Immobilization (braces or splints)

Dr. Burgess and her team also offer laser treatment for sports injuries. If your condition is severe or doesn’t respond to conservative treatment, you may require surgery to address your damaged tissue. To get started on a personalized treatment plan for your sports injury, call the office or book an appointment online today.