Touchdown Tips: Knowing Football Foot Injuries
Are you a football family? Are you preparing for the game if you or a loved one is playing the sport? Whether you enjoy watching or playing the game, we know you are excited. The football season is back, and the fans and players are ready. Unfortunately, an injury is a not-so-fun part of sports. In football, there are no exceptions.
Today, The Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists will share some common football injuries that can impact your ability to score the winning touchdown. While we’re touching on what could go wrong, we’re sharing ways to make things right before an injury occurs. Prevention is one of our favorite topics as podiatrists.
There are sudden moves, quick acceleration, tackles, and so much more in football. For the viewers, the game is exciting. For the players, the risk is lurking. Common foot and ankle injuries in the game include Achilles tendon injuries, ankle sprains, and turf toe. While not every injury is specific to football, it’s important to know your risk.
Achilles tendon injuries
We sure do love our Achilles tendon. It connects our calf muscle to our heel bone, and we couldn’t point our toes without it. Most commonly, we are talking about Achilles tendonitis, which is when the tendon becomes inflamed. Have you heard about an Achilles tendon rupture? When the tendon tears, this injury can be more serious.
Prevention: Avoid sudden acceleration
Ankle sprains
Our familiar foe returns. Ankle sprains are common — even for non-athletes. For a sprain to occur, it only takes the wrong move. If you imagine a football player dodging the opposing team to pick up yards, you can imagine the risk, too. If the ankle moves unnaturally, you may have an ankle sprain.
Prevention: Provide your ankles with support
Turf toe
You guessed right. This injury is most common when an athlete plays on turf or artificial grass. Turf toe is a common problem for football players. The injury occurs when a person sprains their big toe. It can happen after pushing their toes while running, for example. It can also occur if a player falls on another player’s toe.
Prevention: Wear shoes to protect your toes
With locations in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, we have vast experience treating issues of the ankles and feet. Our team includes Dr. Christopher M. Funk, Dr. Bradley A. Whitaker, Dr. Peter C. Merrill, and Dr. Zeno Pfau. Our doctors offer the greatest in technologically advanced methods and cutting-edge medical treatments. Please call 520-575-0800 and make an appointment.
