An Overview of the Common Sports Related Foot Injuries and Their Causes
05th Jun 2019
Sporting activities can be very rewarding and a good way to stay fit and healthy. However, without proper technique and a good understanding of your limits, sports or exercise can lead to injury.
Common Sports Related Foot Injuries
The most common sports related foot injuries are:
- Blisters, corns and calluses
- Achilles tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress fractures
- Ankle sprain
- Joint swelling
- Ligament injuries
This is not an exhaustive list, but does include the most frequent sports related foot issues.
Sports Injuries of the Foot & Ankle
Broadly speaking, sports related foot & ankle injuries can be caused by a range of issues. For the common foot injuries these include:
- Blisters, corns and calluses. These are typically caused by excessive rubbing, friction or pressure on the foot during activity. This could be due to poorly fitted shoes or improper balance.
- Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles, which is the band of tendon connecting your calf muscle to the heel, can become achy or painful due to sustained repetitive movements. These kinds of movements are common in sports, especially when walking, running or going up onto tiptoe.
- Plantar fasciitis. This is the most common cause of heel pain and is due to small tears and stretching of the plantar fascia, which runs along the sole of the foot from the base of the toes to the heel. These tears and stretches can result from repetitive or excessive movements in sporting activities.
- Stress fractures. These are small fractures in the bones of the feet, which are caused by a rapid increase in intensity of activity. Sudden movements without build up to activity can lead to stress fractures.
- Ankle sprain. Most people have sprained their ankle at some point and are aware of this type of injury. An ankle sprain involves the ankle joints moving from their natural position and tearing the ligaments that stabilise it. This can lead to instability, swelling and pain. These are very common in sports that employ pivoting motions, such as football, tennis, volleyball, and basketball.
There are of course many other types of sports injury and often these are easily treated. However, if you are concerned about the possible impact of an injury on your sports performance or you are unsure, is advisable to seek a specialist opinion.
Foot Sports Injury Specialist
There are many kinds of specialist who can advise on a sports foot or ankle injury. These might include:
- Podiatrists
- Podiatric Surgeons
- Sports and Exercise Physicians
- Physiotherapists
- Orthopaedic Doctors, specialising in the foot & ankle
Treatment in London
London offers a vast range of expertise in a relatively small geographical area. Harley Street in Central London, in particular, is the most densely populated area of Private Healthcare Practice in the world with a reputation for being home to World Class doctors and healthcare practitioners, making London an ideal place to seek care for sports related foot injuries.
Book an Appointment
If you have any other questions or would like to reserve an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team: