Sports Injuries

Physical activity is essential for your overall health. Research shows that the benefits of exercise extend beyond physical ones and also improve mental and emotional health. Unfortunately, sports and exercise always come with the risk of injury. The upsides to being active outweigh that risk, especially when you can turn to Capital District Podiatry for effective sports injury treatment in the Greater Albany, NY community.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in bone tissue that develop over the course of time. This common overuse injury is often seen in runners, especially those who suddenly increase distances in their training. The most obvious symptom of this condition is pain that intensifies with activity and then subsides with rest. If you experience this situation, scale back on exercise or else you risk sustaining a more serious injury.

Ankle Sprains

Whether they happen as the result of athletic competition or not, ankle sprains are a highly common injury. The ligaments that surround and support the ankle are only intended to move within a certain range. When they extend beyond the limits of that range—if a runner steps in a dip in the ground or a soccer player makes a sudden turn while her foot is planted—the ligaments become damaged. The resulting injury is initially best treated with RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), but a professional examination is highly recommended.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon plays a major role in moving your foot up and down – an essential function when it comes to running or walking. When the tendon becomes inflamed as a result of intense or repetitive strain from physical activity, you will experience pain that starts out as a mild ache above the heel, but progresses in intensity with prolonged running or frequent sprints. This is often experienced by middle-aged individuals who only engage in competitive activities—tennis, basketball, etc.—on weekends.

Plantar Fasciitis

There is band of fibrous tissue (fascia) that lines the bottom of your foot, connecting the heel bone (calcaneus) to your toes. When the plantar fascia becomes overly tight, small tears develop in the tissue and this leads to pain and inflammation. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain and is usually experienced with the first steps of the day.

Turf Toe

Sports fans know that turf toe is bad news, but may not understand what is actually entailed. In this sports injury, the big toe bends backwards (towards the lower leg) to the point that the supporting ligaments tear. This frequently happens in a sudden event and, contrary to popular belief, does not have to take place on artificial turf.

Treatment

Most sports injury treatment involves conservative, nonsurgical methods. In many cases, your body simply needs time to recover and undergo its natural healing processes. Ice, compression, and elevation are all tools to alleviate pain and swelling. We will advise you on proper procedures to start a successful healing process.

When home care isn’t enough, our office is here to help you. Depending on the nature of your injury, we may use custom orthotics, casts, braces, or physical therapy to restore your health. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary, but we will make sure you understand your options and feel comfortable making an informed decision.

Prevention

The good news about sports injuries is that many are preventable, and preventative techniques are not particularly difficult:

• Check with Dr. Pandya to see what levels of physical activity are right for you before you begin exercising or participating in sports.
• Make sure that you have the appropriate footwear—complete with a proper fit—for the activity you are going to do.
• Always stretch and warm up prior to any physical activity.
• Do not push yourself with “too much, too soon.”
• Ease up as soon as anything doesn’t feel quite right.

Sports Injury Treatment in the Greater Albany, NY Region

Prevention measures can decrease the likelihood of injury, but that doesn’t mean the risk is completely eliminated. We hope you stay safe during athletic competition and practices, but take comfort in the fact that Capital District Podiatry is always here if you need medical care. Schedule your appointment with either our Troy or Clifton Park offices by calling (518) 273-0053.