Preventing Football Injuries
They don’t call it football for nothing! Your feet really take a beating when playing America’s favorite fall sport. Even the name says it all – “football” – because you kick the ball with your feet. In fact, for many years a forward pass was illegal and all movement depended on kicking the ball.
Whether you are a weekend warrior taking to the field for a few plays, or your son or daughter plays games on real or artificial turf, it’s a good idea to know up front what types of foot and ankle sports injuries are common and how they can be prevented.
Foot and Ankle Football Injuries
While strong, our feet are vulnerable to injury especially when playing a game that involves a lot of running and side-to-side cutting. Watch out for these injuries:
- Turf toe
- Fractures and stress fractures
- Sprains
- Heel pain, most often caused by plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bone bruises
- Contusions
No matter how much your child wants to stay in the game, don’t let him or her play through the pain as serious damage can be the result. Please get emergency medical treatment for a severe injury, or come into our office.
How To Reduce the Risk of Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
- Equip your child with the right athletic shoes and protective gear for football and other sports.
- Replace athletic shoes every six months or when you notice worn tread or heels.
- Make sure that your young athlete warms-up and stretches before a practice or game.
- Don’t over-train, especially if the weather is hot. Build endurance gradually.
- Limit running on uneven or hard surfaces.
We Can Help with a Football Injury or Any Other Foot and Ankle Injuries
For any type of foot or ankle pain, call us. Foot pain is not normal! If you have pain from bunions or any other foot or ankle condition or have suffered any type of foot injury, please call Dr. Christopher M. Funk, Dr. Bradley A. Whitaker or Dr. Peter C. Merrill at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. Our professional staff offers expert podiatry services at three Pima County offices: Tucson, Oro Valley and Green Valley. Please call us today at (520) 575-0800 to schedule your appointment.
