Your feet and ankles are particularly susceptible to sports-related injuries.

Playing sports can be incredibly fun, rewarding and even great for your health. However, all that jumping, twisting and pivoting can leave your feet and ankles prone to injury. Unfortunately, our Ridgefield, CT, podiatrist Dr. Allan Rosenthal sees a lot of sports injuries. The most common types of sports injuries we treat include,

• Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendon rupture
• Sprains and strains
• Ankle fractures and broken bones in the foot
• Stress fractures
• Heel pain
• Turf toe
• Neuromas
• Shin splints

Problems can occur in the tendons, muscles or bones of the ankles and feet due to overuse or direct trauma. While minor muscle and tendon injuries can often be eased with rest and home care, bone injuries and more serious soft tissue injuries will require immediate medical attention.

What should I do if I have an injury?

If you have minor aches and discomfort this could simply be a sign of overuse. In this case, the RICE method is often helpful for those looking to ease minor pain. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. It’s also important that you avoid physical activities until you feel comfortably better; however, if symptoms persist or get worse, it’s time to give us a call.

When should I see a doctor?

Wondering if your sports injuries require expert care from our Ridgefield, CT, podiatrist? If you sustain an injury to your foot or ankle it’s never a bad idea to check in with your doctor to find out what’s going on. By simply calling us and talking through your symptoms, we can often determine whether you should come in for care or whether you should first try and treat the problem from the comfort of your own.

However, you should see us as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of these symptoms,

• Severe pain and swelling
• Trouble putting weight on the injured foot
• Limited range of motion and flexibility
• Visible changes in the shape or appearance of the foot
• Pain that doesn’t go away after one week of home care
• Numbness or tingling
• Discolorations or changes in the color of the skin

It’s important that when sports injuries occur that you have a podiatrist here in Ridgefield, CT, that can provide you with the immediate care you need. We provide custom treatment plans to help you get back on your feet and into the game. Call Advanced Foot Care Center at (203) 431-0048 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allan Rosenthal.