Ankle Sprains
This is a frequent injury suffered by football players and other people who play contact sports, especially those involving the use of cleats. Most football players can identify an ankle sprain by themselves, but its symptoms are profoundly influenced by its severity. Some sprained ankles are easy to ignore, while others can make it difficult to bear any weight on the injured foot.
Jones Fractures
Jones injuries are one of the most frequently reported football-related injuries and are typically caused by regular and repeated periods of intense exercise. It’s a fracture of your fifth metatarsal or the largest bone of your pinky toe. These breaks are often painful and may cause noticeable bruising and swelling around the injured bone. Most Jones fractures require a minor surgical correction to heal properly.
Lisfranc Injuries
Your Lisfranc joint is a set of interconnected bones and ligaments in the midfoot, which stabilizes the arch and helps with load-bearing and load transference. Football-related Lisfranc injuries can involve a broken bone, a sprained ligament, or a dislocation. In general, your risk of sustaining Lisfranc injuries is higher if you regularly kick or punt. Treatment options largely depend on which part of the Lisfranc joint was damaged.
Turf Toe
Turf toe is a sprain of the metatarsophalangeal, or big toe, joint. It’s a common injury associated with football players who typically push off from their toes when breaking into a run or sprint. Most of the time, turf toe only causes mild symptoms of pain and stiffness for a couple of weeks, so rest, icing, and over-the-counter pain medications help reduce inflammation and promote healing. It might also help to immobilize the toe during this time.
However, don’t ignore the pain if it lasts longer—if left unresolved, this condition could cause a permanent loss of push-off strength as well as long-term deformity.
Don’t Fumble Your Football Injuries: Let Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Give You an Assist
If you’re looking forward to training, in the middle of a busy season, or preparing to help carry your team to victory, powering through an injury could seem like the right thing to do—if not for yourself, then for your friends and teammates. However, ignoring a foot or ankle injury could have consequences that outlast the season, risking a much longer recovery time and the possibility of lifelong disability.
Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle’s experienced team of Treasure Valley foot doctors provides dedicated care to keep you at the top of your game. We have years of knowledge working with athletes of all levels, and will guide you on various treatment solutions and services that make the most sense for your lifestyle and activities.