ANKLE & FOOT CENTER OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Podiatry located in Tavares, FL
If you’re a physically active individual, you’re more likely to suffer a sports injury. Left untreated, sports injuries can keep you sidelined and prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. Podiatrist Joanne Balkaran, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and her team at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Tavares, Florida, proudly offer both conservative care and surgery for sports injuries. To request your sports injury consultation today, call the office or use the online booking tool.
Sports Injuries Q & A
What are sports injuries?
Sports injuries occur as a result of playing sports or exercising. Children and teenagers are particularly susceptible to these types of injuries, but adults can experience them too.
You’re at an increased risk of suffering a sports injury if:
- You don’t regularly exercise
- You fail to warm up prior to exercise
- You play contact sports
If you or a loved one experiences a sports injury, don’t wait to seek treatment. Take the first step and contact the doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today.
What are some common sports injuries?
There are dozens of different sports injuries. The symptoms and complications you experience depend on the underlying cause. At Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida, the team regularly diagnoses and treats an array of sports injuries, including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Achilles tendon ruptures
- Fractures
- Swollen muscles
- Dislocations
The team also treats common wear-and-tear and overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis.
What should I do in the event of a sports injury?
If you experience a sports injury, it’s important to stay calm and act quickly. Minor sprains and strains usually respond to rest, over-the-counter painkillers, and ice. But if your sports injury looks or feels severe, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor. This is especially true if you experience:
- Severe swelling
- Pain
- Weakness
- Instability
You should also seek professional medical help if you’re unable to walk or place weight on your affected foot or ankle.
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose sports injuries, the doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida conduct a physical exam, review your medical history, and ask about the symptoms you’re experiencing. They might also have you do some exercises so they can observe your gait and posture.
If these measures don’t provide enough information, they can order X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and support structures in your feet and ankles.
How are sports injuries treated?
The most common method for treating sports injuries is the RICE protocol. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This treatment addresses mild to moderate issues that cause pain and/or swelling.
If your body doesn’t respond to the RICE protocol, the team might recommend physical therapy, custom orthotics, or braces and splints.
For sports injuries that don’t respond to conservative care, the doctors also offer foot and ankle surgery. The team members are board-certified and have years of experience doing safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgeries.
If a sports injury is keeping you sidelined, make an appointment at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.