There are certain sports-related injuries that we see more often than others. 

We all know that being physically active is great for our health; however, we also know that if we aren’t careful, we could also sustain sprains, strains, and breaks while playing our favorite sports. Of course, our Southern Pines, NC, podiatrist Dr. Jeremy Thomas wants to prevent this from happening. We see a lot of athletes coming into our office. They are mostly dealing with,

Strains and sprains 

When it comes to sports injuries, our Southern Pines, NC, foot and ankle specialists see a lot of sprains and strains. If you notice pain, swelling, or tenderness in the foot or ankle after an injury you could be dealing with a strained or sprained ligament, tendon, or muscle. Some ways to manage these minor injuries include,

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. ibuprofen)

Plantar fasciitis 

Dealing with heel pain? It could be due to plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury that causes inflammation of a thick band of tissue known as the plantar fascia. If you are dealing with heel pain that originates at the bottom of the foot and radiates to the arches, you could be dealing with plantar fasciitis. If you are, here are some steps to heal your pain,

• Rest
• Avoid any high-impact activities that could make inflammation worse
• Ice
• Elevation
• OTC pain relievers
• Foot stretches and exercises

If your symptoms don’t ease up with home care and rest you should turn to our Southern Pines, NC, foot doctor for treatment. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common sports injuries that we treat. More stubborn and persistent cases can be eased with,

• Custom orthotics
• Ultrasound
• Shockwave therapy
• Bracing or splinting
• Surgery (in rare or more severe cases)

Stress fractures 

If you are a runner you may be more at risk for stress fractures. Imbalances within the feet, along with pavement pounding can also lead to stress fractures over time. If you suspect that you might have a stress fracture you’ll be happy to know that rest is key to allowing your foot or ankle ample time to heal. This means avoiding running or any physical activities during that time. Other ways to ease stress fractures include,

• Icing
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Elevating your leg
• Avoiding putting weight on the foot
• Wearing a cast or brace (this is something our podiatrist can provide)

If you or your child has sustained foot or ankle sports injuries it’s important that you schedule an appointment right away with our Southern Pines, NC, podiatrist Dr. Thomas. We can provide you with the individualized treatment you need to get back on your feet swiftly. To schedule an appointment, call Triangle Foot and Ankle Specialist at (910) 757-0058.