Common Football Foot Injuries

In football, injuries to the foot and ankle are common. Over the past decade, however, the rates of injuries to these areas have been increasing. These increasing rates are linked to player cleats getting better over time and the surface of the fields. With newer cleats, they also lead to increase torque or tension to the feet of the athletes. This increase in tension on the athlete’s foot and ankle area leads to higher rates of injuries. If you have experienced an injury to the foot and are in need of a podiatrist in Nassau County, reach out to us at Cherrywood Foot Care for help and treatment today.

 

Common Football Foot and Ankle Injuries

The most common foot and ankle injury sustained by football players is a lateral ankle sprain. This occurs when the ligaments of the ankle tear. The severity of the tear can vary, leading to three gradings given to this injury and different treatments given based on the grade of your injury. Minor sprains may take up to 2 weeks to heal and can be treated at home, while more severe sprains could require up to 12 weeks and require a podiatrist. If you are searching for a podiatrist in Nassau County, contact us by phone, email, or come into our office. Listed below are more foot injuries that are common in football athletes.

 

  • Turf Toe – This sprain occurs when you overextend the toe joint, as is common when you push off the ground to run. Symptoms include swelling, redness, and tenderness. This injury is categorized into three grades, ranging from 1 for non-severe to 3 for severe. For grade 1 injuries, the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is recommended, and taping the injured toe to keep it stabilized is also recommended. For grade 2 injuries, a walking boot may be employed and further stabilization for the injured toe may be required for up to a week. A grade 3 injury requires up to several weeks to heal. The injured toe is immobilized, sometimes held in a position partially pointed downward. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair the soft tissue and restore the joints motion and mobility. 
  • Fifth Metatarsal Fractures – this injury is known as a fracture in the bone that runs up and down the side of your foot. There are three types of these fractures.
    • The first fracture we will talk about is a Jones fracture. This fracture typically occurs from a poor landing causing sudden impact to the area or repeated stress to the area. 
    • The second type of fracture to this are is an Avulsion fracture. This fracture is often correlated with sprained ankles, as the fracture occurs at the base of the metatarsal bone. 
    • Lastly, a Spiral fracture is the third type of fracture you can experience. This fracture is caused when there is trauma on the bone close to the toes, leading to a fracture that is unstable and can lead to the displacement of the bone. X-rays imaging can be used to diagnose and determine the severity of the issue.
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture – A tear in the Achilles tendon hat is caused when the tendon becomes overstretched, usually by forceful jumping or acceleration. Symptoms may include sudden pain, a popping or snapping sensation, difficulty walking, and swelling. Treatment for this injury can be surgical or nonsurgical based on the severity of the injury. In less severe cases, where surgery is not needed, a walking boot or cast is used to restrict the motion of the foot and the tendon heals over time. Surgeries are used for more severe cases, but also reduce the risks of rupturing the tendon again and can increase the athletes push-off strength and mobility.
  • Lisfranc Injuries – Injuries that occur in the lisfranc joint, the joint that connects the metatarsal bones and the tarsal bones. Injuries can occur here when the foot is twisted or a large force is applied to the foot. There are three injuries that can occur here, a sprain, fracture, and dislocation.  Symptoms of injuries in this area include swelling, pain, bruising/blistering on the arch of the foot, and abnormal widening of the foot. X-rays and imaging can be used to diagnose and determine the severity of the injury. Nonsurgical treatments include immobilization, physical therapy, and oral medication. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, you may need a surgical treatment which will depend on your specific case.  

 

Contact a Podiatrist in Nassau County

Football players experience a high rate of foot related-injuries. These are just some of the possible foot injuries athletes may receive. Foot injuries can be debilitating, not only on the field but in your everyday life. Without the proper treatment and aftercare, these injuries are prone to reoccur or worsen. Please visit a podiatrist if you believe you have incurred a foot-related injury recently. If you need a podiatrist in Nassau County, contact us and we will help you!

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Clinic Name
Cherrywood Foot Care
Service Offered
Football Foot Injuries
Cherrywood Foot Care