Common Football Injuries Can Affect You Too
At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know if you’re a football fan, it was disappointing to watch post-season hopes fizzle for our local teams. Injuries, of course, can be a key factor in a team’s performance. There are several foot and ankle injuries common among football players, and it may surprise you to know even if you’re not a professional athlete, they can happen to you too. Below are some we see more frequently in our Manhattan office.
Lisfranc Injuries—The Lisfranc joint is in the middle of the foot where the metatarsal bones meet up with the bones in the arch of your foot. There is also a ligament that joins these two sets of bones. Although violent tackles seen in football are often responsible for Lisfranc injuries in players, they can happen from something as simple as stepping off the curb awkwardly or dropping a heavy object on your foot. Signs of an injury to this area include:
Foot swelling
Pain in the midfoot when standing or pressed.
Difficulty bearing weight on the foot.
Bruising or blistering on the arch or top of the foot
Visible widening of the foot
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to make an appointment at our Upper West Side NYC office by calling (212) 877-1002 so that our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, can evaluate your injury. There are three different types of Lisfranc injuries—sprains, fractures, and dislocations—and the podiatrist will be able to determine the specific injury and its severity.
Turf Toe—Excessive and repeated upward bending of the big toe joint can lead to this sprain injury. It can also happen from sudden jamming of the toe, such as getting stuck on carpet or artificial court surfaces. Although turf toe is seen more frequently among football players, anyone participating in gymnastics, dance, soccer, wrestling, and basketball is also susceptible to this sports injury.
Achilles Tendinitis—Excessive overuse and training regimens that involve running hills and sudden moves and tackles are why this type of injury is common among football pros. However, these injuries can occur among “weekend warrior” sports enthusiasts who are inactive for most of the week and then really exert themselves on their one or two days off from work. Patients with flat feet who don’t wear shoes with added arch support can also end up with Achilles issues. Achilles problems are characterized by pain, stiffness, and soreness anywhere along the tendon path, from your heel up through your calf.
You should promptly address any foot pain you experience, so contact us today if you believe you’ve sustained an injury.