Sports Injuries

Two soccer players

Did a sports injury take you out of the game? Get off the bench & back in action!

Whether you love running up and down the basketball court or going out for a morning run each day, one thing is certain: you don’t want an injury to get in your way of enjoying your favorite activities!

Unfortunately, athletes can be stubborn. We have a bad tendency to underestimate our injuries and try to be tough, “walk them off,” and play through them. In the end, though, that will only prolong the pain—and potentially turn a minor injury into a major one!

We feel the passion, too, which is why we’ve invested in several advanced therapies designed to help active people get back to work and play as fast as possible—usually without surgery!

young family playing

No matter your skill level, you are an athlete and you are passionate about your favorite sport. Injuries that take you off the court, out of the gym, or off your feet are detrimental. It’s times like these that you need treatment to help you regain your strength and get moving again!

HFAA Can Help You Recover Fast
(and Stay In Shape)

For an active person, missing even one game—or a week or two of running—can feel like torture. The faster you can return to play, the better. We can help with that!

When you’re hurt, the first thing you must do is stop your activity. As painful as this may be, it is crucial to your long-term recovery. Taking your injury seriously in the early stages can protect you from further damage and help you get back to full strength much quicker.

Next, if your pain isn’t getting better after a few days of rest, ice, and elevation, give our office a call so we can evaluate your condition and put together a personalized treatment plan optimized for your condition, your sport, and your goals.

Our Office Provides Exceptional Services For Athletes, Including:

Laser Therapy

This incredible, revolutionary technology can not only significantly reduce your pain in a short period of time, but also actually triggers natural healing activities within your cells.

It’s painless, drug-free, devoid of any side effects and, when combined with other treatments, can cut your recovery time by 25-50 percent in cases!

Laser therapy is a great option whether you have a traumatic injury (like an ankle sprain) or chronic, nagging injuries like plantar fasciitis or tendinitis.

Inserts & Custom Orthotics

Here’s something you may not know: shoe inserts and custom insoles can be especially beneficial for athletes and active people.

These devices are meant to strategically cushion, support, reposition, and protect feet throughout their motion. And since athletes put a lot of wear and tear on their feet, the right inserts can make a dramatic difference.

You might even be surprised to discover that wearing your orthotics regularly not only takes your pain away, but actually makes you faster, stronger, and more agile when you play! That’s because the improvement in your biomechanics helps makes your motions more efficient, and allows you to train harder without breaking down.

Personalized Care

No two athletes are exactly the same, and neither are any two injuries. The optimal treatment course for a 25-year-old elite runner may not be the best choice for a 40-year-old recreational runner—to say nothing of 50-year-old recreational tennis player or high school basketball guard!

At Heartland Foot & Ankle Associates, we always take as much time as needed to assess the situation and build a treatment plan that’s personalized to you and what you are passionate about. We’ll help you make sure you’re doing the right stretches, get the right pair of sport-specific shoes, take the appropriate precautions, and do everything you need to get back to your preferred lifestyle.

Common Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries

Here are a few of the most common types of sports injuries and the treatments available. This is certainly not a complete list.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is located on the back part of your leg and ankle. It is instrumental in helping you run, jump, and perform in any type of sport. The more you use it, the more likely it is to become inflamed, limiting your mobility.

If you notice limited movement or extreme pain in your tendon, it’s important that you immediately rest, ice, and elevate your leg. You might also try taking some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. If that does not help, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Melissa J. Lockwood for further care.

Ankle Sprain

There are two different types of ankle sprains. Low ankle sprains occur when you twist your ankle beyond its natural rotation ability. High ankle sprains happen when a strong force, such as a tackle, pushes it outside of its natural rotation.

Both are dangerous and require professional treatment right away. Low ankle sprains will usually recover on their own with ice, elevation, and rest. High ankle sprains might require more extensive treatment from a podiatrist, because these are usually the most severe.

Pain in the Bottom of Your Feet

If you experience severe pain in the bottom of your feet after your favorite activity, there might be a few causes:

  • Plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your feet.
  • Metatarsalgia, which is a pain in the ball of your feet.

For both of these injuries, rest and ice can help you get relief. If it continues, you might need to see a podiatrist for more advanced treatment.

Shin Splints

Shin splints refer to pain on either side of the leg bone that is caused by muscle or tendon inflammation. The problem is usually related to a collapsing arch, but may be caused by a muscle imbalance between opposing muscle groups in the leg.

Proper stretching before and after exercise and sports, corrective shoes, or orthotics (corrective shoe inserts) can help prevent shin splints.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures happen over time. They are small breaks in your bones that occur after repetitive impact. They are most common among runners and athletes in high-impact sports where the constant pounding can cause the bone to crack.

Treating stress fractures may require a lot of discipline, since the symptoms may disappear before the bones have fully healed. Going back to your old routine too soon will only cause a recurrence of the injury, so following your doctor’s advice to the letter is very important.

Get Treatment To Get Back In The Game

Whether you are a high-performance collegiate or professional athlete, or a “weekend warrior” trying to get a few games in when you get a break from work, we know your passion is the same. And our passion for helping you get better quickly is just as strong!

Ready to get back to doing the sports or activities you love? Call (309) 661-9975 to book an appointment with Dr. Lockwood and get back in action fast!