SECTA Sports Medicine

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Ankle sprains: The most common injury Mostly due to excessive inversion and plantar flexion Most commonly injured ligament is the anterior talofibular ligament Less common is the eversion sprain due to the deltoid ligament

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Ankle Sprains 1 st degree: ○ 1 or more of the supporting ligaments are stretched ○ S/S: minor discomfort, point tenderness, little or no swelling, no abnormal joint movement ○ TX: RICE, splinting, taping, bracing, eliminate all activities that cause pain ○ Rehab: ROM exercises, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Ankle Sprains 2 nd degree: ○ Portion of 1 or more ligaments is torn ○ S/S: pain, point tenderness, swelling, disability loss of function, slight abnormal movement ○ TX: RICE, splinting, taping, bracing, eliminate all activities that cause pain ○ Rehab: ROM exercises, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Ankle Sprains 3 rd degree: ○ 1 or more of the ligaments have been completely torn ○ S/S: extreme pain (unless nerve damage has occurred), loss of function, point tenderness, rapid swelling, chance of fracture ○ TX: RICE, splinting, taping, bracing, eliminate all activities that cause pain, consult a physician ○ Rehab: ROM exercises, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, possible surgery

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle Inversion ankle sprain

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Arch Sprain Most involve the metatarsal or inner longitudinal arch Reduces the ability of the arches to absorb shock Caused by overuse, overweight, fatigue, training on hard surfaces, wearing nonsupportive or worn shoes TX: RICE

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Great Toe Sprain (Turf Toe) Big toe hyperextends (first metatarsophalangeal joint) often due to slippery surfaces Minor injury but does limit athletes’ performance TX: RICE, support, often x-rays to rule out more severe injury

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Plantar Fasciitis Plantar fascia becomes strained due to overuse, toe running, unsupportive footwear, running on hard surfaces S/S: Pain near heel (similar signs as heel bruise) TX: RICE, stretching, heel cushion

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Retrocalcaneal Bursitis Caused by constant rubbing from the heel of the shoe leading to chronic inflammation of the bursa S/S: tenderness, swelling, warmth and redness TX: Doughnut pad place around the area

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Bunion The head of the 1 st metatarsal enlarges due to wearing improperly fitting shoes S/S: Obvious deformity, tenderness, and swelling TX: Proper shoe selection, protection devices, possible surgery

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle Bunion

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Pes Planus Over pronation of the foot caused by the lack of support in shoes, genetics, or age S/S: foot pain, lack of longitudinal arch, lateral heel tilt TX: arch stretches, toes curls, ice massage, orthotics

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle Pes Planus

Common Injuries of the Foot & Ankle  Ingrown Toenail Caused by improper shoe size and nail cutting S/S: increased pain, swelling, redness around the nail bed TX: hot, soapy water, antibiotics, raise nail up

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Muscle Cramp: A sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle Contributing factors: ○ Fatigue ○ Fractures (due to atrophy) ○ Dehydration ○ Lack of nutrients in diet (sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium) ○ Poor flexibility ○ Improperly fitted equipment TX: passive stretching, fluid replacement, massage, rest, ice

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Contusions Most commonly occur over the shin due to a blunt force trauma Complication of a severe contusion may lead to Compartment Syndrome or peroneal nerve damage TX: ice

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Achilles Tendonitis Caused by repetitive weight bearing activities that increase quicker than the body can adapt S/S: pain and stiffness around the Achilles tendon- gradual onset TX: limit/restrict the activity that caused the irritation, aggressive stretching

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Achilles Tendon Rupture Caused by a sudden eccentric force is applied to a dorsiflexed foot with a chronically tight tendon S/S: feel/hear a pop, feels as if kicked in the leg, inability to plantar flex foot TX: Surgery vs. cast

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Achilles Tendon Rupture

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Shin Splints Caused by changes of any kind in training, abnormal strength in antagonist muscle S/S: anterior medial shin pain TX: eliminate bad changes, modified rest, cryotherapy, arch tape job

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Stress Fracture Caused by repeated stress place on a bone that is greater than the body’s ability to adapt or heal S/S: point tender at fracture site, pain relief in the morning TX: rest

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Stress Fractures

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Fractures Caused by direct blow, twisting force, repetitive use (stress fractures) 10-15% of lower-leg fractures are open fractures Tibial fractures are more easily recognized than fibula fractures

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Fractures Closed FractureTibial x-ray

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Fractures

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg  Dislocation Caused by S/S: TX:

Common Injuries of the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Dislocation