Sports Injuries

Maybe you get out and get active just for fun. Maybe you do it to be competitive—either against others or against your own personal bests.

(We totally get that competitive part. Some of our doctors like to race the clock and others outside the office!)

Sports and physical activity can feel greatly freeing and provide a big, positive rush. That’s why it can always be such an ordeal when a sports injury gets in the way of doing what you love. You might even start to weigh your options: do I do something about this or just grit my teeth and get back in?

We know how it feels, but we beg you: Don’t ignore sports injuries—especially to your feet and ankles! Contact our experts in Portsmouth and Nashua.

Types of Sports Injuries

While some sports injuries such as sprains and fractures tend to come from a strong, one-time force (we likely don’t have to explain these much), many more fall under the umbrella of “overuse injuries.”

Overuse injuries are the result of pushing your body too hard with extensive, repetitive motions or impacts. The body has a natural ability to rebuild itself when you wear it down and cause minor tears and injuries in its tissues. If you don’t allow your body the time it needs to do so these tiny injuries will stay and build up to a problem.

Some kinds of overuse injuries include:

• Stress Fractures – Small, hairline cracks that can form in the surface of a bone due to overuse. This is common in runners and other high-impact aerobic activities, and can happen in just about any bone of the foot from the heel bone to the metatarsals.
• Plantar Fasciitis – Each foot has a thick band of tissue that runs along the underside—the plantar fascia. It provides support to the arch of the foot, but can develop small tears and become inflamed with excessive use. The end result is an often sharp, stabbing form of heel pain that is worst when getting up in the morning or after a long period of inactivity.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation of the Achilles tendon, located toward the back of your heel bone. Pain from this condition tends to be located just above the back of the heel, and often comes with a tangible bump as well. In worse cases, the Achilles tendon might develop a tear or rupture completely.
• Shin Splints – This pain develops along the front of the lower leg, against the shin bone although it can sometimes be felt along the inside of the lower leg as well. This is another common running injury, especially in those who have increased the distance or number of their runs too quickly.

There are many other sports injuries your feet and ankles can face, including black toenails, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and sesamoiditis. Properly identifying the cause of your discomfort is the biggest key in receiving the proper treatment.