1. Foot, Ankle, Lower Leg Injuries
Sports Medicine 1
Lexington High School

2. Anatomy
Bony components
Tibia, fibula
26 Foot bones

3. Arches
Medial longitudinal, Lateral longitudinal, anterior metatarsal, and transverse
Shock absorbers
Support body weight
Provide rigid lever for propulsion
Accommodation to uneven surfaces

4. Ligaments Plantar aponeurosis Medial (Deltoid) Lateral
~ anterior talofibular
~ calcaneofibular
~ posterior talofibular

5. Muscles Foot (4 layers) Leg (4 compartments) Anterior Lateral
Superficial posterior
Deep posterior

6. Motions Foot ~ flexion/extension ~ abduction/adduction
~ inversion/eversion
Ankle
~ plantarflexion/dorsiflexion

7. Foot Injuries
Cause
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention

8. Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
Cause: Chronic inflammation of bursa from constant rubbing from heel of shoe.
S/S: Tenderness, swelling, warmth, and redness
TX: Doughnut pad placed around area
Prevention: Properly fitting shoes

9. Bunion
Cause: Bony enlargement of the head of the 1st metatarsal caused from wearing improperly fitting shoes.
S/S: Obvious deformity, tenderness, and swelling.
TX: Proper shoe selection, protection devices, surgery may be necessary
Prevention: Properly fitting shoes.

11. Metatarsal Fracture
Cause: Direct force or twisting or torsion stresses
S/S: Swelling and pain. More pt tender and sometimes palpable.
TX: RICE, casting
Prevention: Avoid getting kicked, falling/rolling ankle

12. Pes Planus Over pronation of foot
Cause: Lack of support in shoes, genetics, age
S/S: Foot pain, lack of longitudinal arch, lateral heel tilt
Tx: arch stretches, toe curls, ice massage, orthotics
Prevention: toe curls, proper shoes

13. Ingrown Toenail Cause: Improper shoe fitting and nail cutting
S/S: Increased pain, swelling, redness around the nail bed
TX: Hot, soapy water, antibiotics, raise nail up.
Prevention: proper shoes, proper nail trimming

14. Plantar Fasciitis
Cause: Running, toe running, wrong shoes (acute and chronic)
S/S: Pain near heel. Similar signs as heel bruise
Treatment: RICE, stretching, IM, NSAIDs, pad heel.
Prevention: Stretching

16. Ankle Sprain Cause: Inversion of the ankle
S/S: Point tenderness, swelling, laxity
TX: RICE, rehabilitation immediately
Prevention: Strengthening exercises, proper shoes

19. Tibia/Fibula Fractures
Cause: Direct Force, rotary force
S/S: Immediate pain, swelling, possible deformity
TX: Immediate referral to MD
Prevention: Wear proper shin protection

21. Shin Splints
Causes: Changes in any kind of training. Abnormal strength in Antagonist muscle
S/S: Anterior medial shin pain
TX: Eliminate bad changes, modified rest, cryotherapy, arch tape job

22. Achilles Tendonitis
Cause: Repetitive weight bearing activities that increase quicker than body can adapt to.
S/S: Generalized pain and stiffness around the Achilles tendon. Usually gradual onset.
TX: Limiting or restricting the activity that caused the irritation. Aggressive stretching of heel cord.
Prevention: Heel cord stretching, proper acclimization to activity.

23. Achilles Tendon Rupture
Cause: Sudden, forceful plantar flexion of the ankle with a chronically tight tendon.
S/S: Feel or hear a pop. Feel as if they’ve been kicked in the leg. Inability to plantar flex foot.
TX: Surgery vs. Cast
Prevention: Stretching and proper care of any tendonitis

25. Compartment Syndrome
Cause: Increased pressure within one of four compartments of lower leg causes compression of the structures in the leg.
S/S: Deep aching pain, tightness, and swelling. Pain with stretching.
TX: Acute~ immediate surgery
Chronic~ activity modification & ice and sometimes surgery
Prevention: Stretching (Hard to prevent)