Whether you consider yourself a serious athlete or just enjoy an active lifestyle, you subject your feet, ankles, and lower legs to sustained pressure, jarring impacts, and repetitive motions that can make them prone to strains, sprains, and other painful sports-related injuries. Fortunately, you've come to the right place. At Creekside Physical Therapy, our movement and exercise specialists help patients with sports injuries get back on their feet and get back in the game. Considering making an appointment at one of our state-of-the-art physical therapy clinics? Here's what you should know.

Types of Sports Injuries We Treat

We provide rehabilitation for a wide range of sports-related foot, ankle, and lower leg injuries. Here are just a few examples of the conditions we rehab.

  • Strains and Sprains. Caused by stretched or torn ligaments in the foot or ankle, strains and sprains are some of the most common injuries athletes face. Often the result of overuse, repetitive motions, or sharp movements, these injuries can cause bruising, swelling, and moderate to severe pain that makes it difficult to stand, walk, or run.
  • Plantar Fasciitis. Overuse, improper stretching, and wearing the wrong shoes can cause the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, the plantar fascia, to become inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by stabbing pains in the foot and heel that are particularly common in the first few steps after a period of rest.
  • Achilles Tendinitis. Repetitive motion or a sudden increase in the intensity or duration of your fitness routine can lead to Achilles tendinitis, a painful inflammation of the tendon that runs from the calf muscle to the heel. The condition can cause intense lower leg pain or a chronic, dull ache in the back of the lower leg that extends down into the heel.
  • Heel Pain. Pain in the heel is a frustrating symptom that's associated with a number of foot and ankle injuries, including stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and other issues.
  • Stress Fractures. Rigorous sports that subject the feet and ankles to high levels of impact or strain make the athletes who engage in them prone to small, incomplete bone breaks known as stress fractures. These hairline fractures can cause pain and swelling in the foot and lower leg.
  • Chronic Ankle Instability. Having previously sprained an ankle not only increases an athlete's risk of subsequent sprains but also increases the risk of developing chronic ankle instability. In addition to making the ankle feel like it's going to give way, this condition can cause persistent tenderness, swelling, and pain.

Sports Linked to Below-the-Knee Injuries

Regardless of what sport you play, overexertion, warming up improperly, or wearing shoes that don't provide adequate support can make your feet, ankles, and lower legs prone to injury. However, the following sports and activities are associated with particularly high rates of injuries:

  • Walking or running
  • Circuit training
  • Track and field
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Field hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball 

Individualized Rehabilitation That Puts You First 

After evaluating your injury and taking the time to understand your goals, we'll work with you to create an individualized rehabilitation plan to help you achieve them as quickly and as safely as possible. Typical sessions include one-on-one time with skilled physical therapists and exercise experts who specialize in interventions to reduce and manage pain and increase confidence with movement.

At Creekside Physical Therapy, we provide customized care designed to exceed your expectations. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.