Sports Injuries Specialist

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries are injuries that occur during physical activity or while playing sports. Children and teenagers are particularly prone to sports injuries, but adults get them too.

You’re at an increased risk of suffering a sports injury if:

• You don’t exercise regularly
• You fail to warm up before exercise
• You play contact sports

If you slip and fall, twist your ankle, or pull a muscle, don’t wait to seek professional medical treatment. Get in touch with the team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists right away.

What are some common types of sports injuries?

There are many different types of sports injuries. The team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists regularly diagnoses and treats patients suffering from:

Sprains

A sprain happens when you overstretch or tear one or more ligaments. A ligament is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects your bones to joints. Ankle sprains are the most common sprain, sending millions of Americans to the ER every year. You might sprain your ankle if you roll, twist, or step down on your ankle in an awkward way.

Strains

A strain happens when you overstretch or tear a muscle or tendon. Your tendons connect your muscles to your bones. Many people use the words strain and sprain interchangeably, and though they present similar symptoms, they’re actually two different things.

Fractures

A fracture or broken bone happens as a result of an injury or sudden impact to one or more bones. If you drop something on your foot like a dumbbell or you play contact sports like hockey or football, you’re more likely to suffer a fracture.

Achilles tendon rupture

The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscle to your heel bone. While playing sports, it’s possible for these tendons to snap or rupture. If this happens, you might experience sudden pain, swelling, and/or difficulty walking.

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose sports injuries, the team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists reviews your medical history, asks you questions about your symptoms, and examines your foot and ankle. 

Depending on your symptoms, they might also ask you to do a series of exercises so they can watch how you walk and how you stand. Your doctor might also order X-rays to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and underlying structures in your feet and ankles.

How are sports injuries treated?

Whenever possible, the team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists uses conservative, holistic measures to treat sports injuries. For example, if you suffer a sprain or strain, your doctor will usually recommend rest, ice, compression, and elevation — the RICE protocol.

If these measures don’t provide relief, you might benefit from corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, or custom orthotics. For serious injuries that interfere with your mobility and quality of life, surgeries like a total ankle replacement could be necessary.

No matter what type of sports injury you’ve suffered, treatment is available. Request an appointment with the team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists today by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.