When foot or ankle pain keeps you from performing your best, you need more than just basic care—you need a specialist who understands the unique demands athletes place on their feet. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, chiropodist Tony Abbott combines over three decades of experience with cutting-edge technology to help athletes of all ages recover from sports injuries and prevent future problems.
We know that every day spent recovering is a day away from the sport you love. That's why we offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans designed to get you back to peak performance as quickly and safely as possible. From weekend warriors to competitive athletes, we provide the specialized care you need to stay active and injury-free.
Which Sports Cause the Most Foot, Ankle, and Heel Injuries?
Different sports place unique stresses on your feet and ankles. Understanding these risks helps you take proper precautions and seek timely treatment.
- Running and Track. High-impact activities lead to stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis.
- Basketball and Volleyball. Quick directional changes frequently result in ankle sprains and ligament injuries.
- Soccer and Football. These contact sports often cause traumatic injuries like bruises, sprains, and fractures.
- Tennis and Racquet Sports. Side-to-side movements stress the outer edges of the feet, leading to ankle instability.
- Dance and Gymnastics. Repetitive jumping can cause shin splints, stress fractures, and sesamoid injuries.
Common Sports-Related Injuries to the Feet and Ankles
Athletes and active individuals often face foot and ankle injuries that require professional attention. Here are some conditions we frequently treat at our Collingwood clinic.
Achilles Tendinitis
This painful condition occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed from overuse or sudden increases in training intensity. Athletes often notice pain and stiffness in the morning or after periods of rest, with symptoms typically worsening during activity.
Ankle Sprains
Over-rotation or rolling of the ankle can damage the surrounding ligaments, leading to pain, swelling, and instability. The severity ranges from mild stretching to complete tears, with treatment plans varying based on the grade of the sprain.
Black Toenail (Subungual Hematoma)
Impact trauma or repetitive pressure from athletic footwear can cause blood to collect beneath the toenail. While this condition often resolves independently, severe cases may require professional treatment to relieve pressure and prevent nail loss.
Plantar Fasciitis
This common source of heel pain occurs when the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes becomes inflamed. Athletes typically experience sharp pain when taking their first steps in the morning or when starting an activity after rest.
Stress Fractures
Repetitive impact or overtraining can create small cracks in the bones of the feet. Initially, you may experience mild discomfort. Without treatment, however, they can lead to severe complications if left untreated.
Morton's Neuroma
This painful condition develops when tissue thickens around a nerve between the toes, usually between the third and fourth toes. Athletes often describe a burning sensation or feeling like they're standing on a pebble.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon that supports the arch can cause pain along the inside of the ankle and arch area. Without proper treatment, this condition can lead to progressive flattening of the arch and chronic pain.
Metatarsalgia
This condition causes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often developing from high-impact activities. Athletes may experience sharp, aching, or burning pain that worsens during weight-bearing activities.
Peroneal Tendonitis
The peroneal tendons run behind the outer ankle bone and can become inflamed from overuse or improper training. Athletes often notice pain and swelling around the outer ankle, particularly during activities requiring quick directional changes.
Turf Toe
The big toe joint can be sprained when it is forcefully bent upward, particularly on artificial turf surfaces. This injury can significantly impact pushing off while running and jumping, making it particularly problematic for athletes.
Sesamoiditis
Inflammation of the small bones under the big toe joint causes pain in the ball of the foot. This condition commonly affects athletes who participate in activities requiring repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot, such as running or dancing.
Lisfranc Injuries
These injuries affect the complex of joints and ligaments in the middle of the foot and can range from mild sprains to severe dislocations. Athletes may notice swelling on top of the foot and pain that worsens during push-off while walking.
Special Considerations for Young Athletes
Young athletes aren't just smaller versions of adult competitors. Their growing bodies face unique challenges that require specialized care and attention. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we help parents and coaches protect young athletes while supporting their athletic development.
- Growth plate protection. Growth plates are areas of developing tissue at the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. These plates are particularly vulnerable to injury during sports activities.
- Training load management. Finding the right balance between activity and rest is crucial for young athletes.
- Equipment transitions. Growing feet need properly fitted equipment that changes with them.
Common Youth Sports Injuries
Young athletes are particularly susceptible to certain conditions, including:
- Sever's disease. This heel pain condition commonly affects active children, typically between ages 8 and 14, during growth spurts.
- Ankle sprains. Developing coordination and changing body proportions can increase sprain risk.
- Stress injuries. Repetitive activities can stress growing bones and soft tissues.
- Greenstick fractures. Unlike a complete fracture, where the bone breaks into separate pieces, a greenstick fracture occurs when the bone bends and partially breaks on one side while remaining intact on the other.
How a Collingwood Chiropodist Diagnoses Sports Injuries
At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use advanced diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain and develop an effective treatment plan.
- Physical examination. Our comprehensive evaluation includes testing your range of motion, strength, and flexibility while checking for areas of tenderness or swelling.
- Advanced imaging. When necessary, we utilize state-of-the-art imaging to examine your injury in detail and track your healing progress over time.
- Gait analysis. We assess how you walk and run to identify movement patterns that may contribute to your injury or affect your recovery.
What Should I Do If I Experience a Sports Injury?
Sports injuries come in many varieties, from skin conditions such as blisters to fractures. In some cases, immediate care is required at an emergency facility—for instance, if you can see that a bone is out of its proper location. If your injury is less severe, such as a sprain, you can begin by using the RICE method: Rest the injured foot, apply Ice (but not directly to the skin), Compress the area, and Elevate. Next, call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic to schedule an appointment. Chiropodist Tony Abbott will evaluate your injury and determine the best treatment plan. Before you know it, you'll be on your way to a full recovery.