People typically associate foot and ankle injuries with activities that involve running and jumping. Yet other athletic pursuits can cause these injuries as well. A golfer, for instance, is not only at risk of elbow pain from overuse, but may hurt the feet or injure an ankle because of this activity. Athletic Injuries Treatment in Joliet IL is available from podiatrists for these types of problems.
An Acute Injury: A Sprained Ankle
Golf injuries in general tend to occur because of repetitive strain, but they also can be sudden, acute events. It’s entirely possible for a golfer to sprain an ankle while maneuvering on the course. If the injury is serious enough, Athletic Injuries Treatment in Joliet IL from a foot and ankle doctor is advisable. The individual will want to rule out the possibility of a bone fracture.
Even if the ankle is not broken, severe sprains can take a long time to heal and benefit from professional treatment. Ankle sprains occur when ligaments tear. Most of these incidents are minor and heal over a few weeks. A grade 3 sprain occurs when all of the ankle ligament fibers have been torn. Bruising and swelling are very noticeable, and the ankle is tender when touched. Putting any weight on it is almost impossible.
This person should seek treatment from an organization such as Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates. Otherwise, the ankle will take much longer to heal and it may be weaker after full healing occurs. That makes the ligament more vulnerable to tearing again. For up to three months, the person must avoid any activities that could require significant turning of the ankle. That means no racquet sports or other athletic activities requiring pivoting.
A Repetitive Use Injury: Plantar Fasciitis
Podiatrists treat other kinds of golf-related injuries affecting the feet and ankles. Golfers may develop plantar fasciitis, for instance, caused by small tears in the ligament attaching to the heel. The pain occurs at the bottom of the heel when the person puts weight on the foot. This usually can be resolved with specific exercises to strengthen the ligament. Click here for details on one particular clinic focusing on foot and ankle health.
