Sports Medicine – Sports Injury Podiatrist

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine refers to the prevention, treatment, and management athletes and active individuals receive to ensure they can continue enjoying the activities they love without injury. The feet and ankles serve as the body’s foundation. By addressing injuries or mechanical issues early on, sports medicine can help prevent long-term damage in the future.

What does sports medicine treat?

The experienced foot and ankle team at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic provide comprehensive care for sports injuries, including:

Heel pain

Heel pain is a common complaint in athletes and active individuals, particularly runners. Plantar fasciitis, which affects the band of tissue that stretches from the toes to the heel, is a common cause of heel pain in athletes of all ages. Heel pain can feel dull, sharp, or sore. It may come and go or worsen right after you wake up in the morning.

Stress fractures

A stress fracture is a bone break that occurs from repeated pressure. Stress fractures in the small bones of the feet are prevalent in runners, basketball players, soccer players, and other individuals who participate in activities that put stress on the feet.

Ankle sprain

An ankle sprain can occur when the tendons and ligaments that support the ankle stretch too far. That can lead to pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. While an ankle sprain might not seem like a serious sports injury, without treatment it can increase your risk of future sprains.

Achilles Tendinitis/Rupture

Achilles tendon injuries are common among athletes and the “Weekend Warrior” population. Injury to the Achilles tendon can occur acutely or from minor injuries over time. Neglecting injuries can lead to tearing or even rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. Since active individuals often experience damage to the toenails, the condition is common in athletes, particularly those wearing ill-fitting footwear.

What treatments are included in sports medicine?

How Dr. Nelson addresses your sports injury depends on the type, severity, and location of your condition. Common treatments for sports injuries include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.)
• Bandaging, bracing, or casting
• Footwear modifications
• Surgery
• Orthotics

Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts that correct imbalances in your feet. Whether you have flat feet or high arches, custom orthotics can improve your foot mechanics to prevent injuries.

To learn more about sports medicine in podiatry, read on – or call Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic at (972) 414-9800 or schedule an appointment online now.

Sports Medicine & Sports Injury Podiatry in Garland & Wylie, TX

Foot or Ankle Injury Keeping You Out of the Game?

You do not have to be a professional athlete to develop a sports injury.

Runners, student athletes, weekend golfers, gym-goers, dancers, recreational athletes and people who simply enjoy staying active can all experience injuries involving the feet and ankles.

At Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic, our podiatrists diagnose and treat sports-related foot and ankle injuries at both of our North Texas locations.

Scott Nelson, DPM provides sports injury care at our Garland, TX office, while Hang Nguyen, DPM treats active patients at our Wylie, TX location.

Whether your injury happened suddenly during a game or developed gradually after weeks of training, our goal is to determine what has been injured, reduce pain, support proper healing and help you return to activity safely.

If you are looking for a sports injury podiatrist in Garland or Wylie, call (972) 414-9800 or request an appointment online.

What Is Sports Medicine in Podiatry?

Sports medicine focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries related to physical activity.

For a podiatrist, that means paying particular attention to the feet and ankles, which absorb substantial force during running, jumping, cutting, landing and other athletic movements.

However, sports medicine involves more than treating the painful spot.

Depending on the injury, your podiatrist may also consider:

• How the injury occurred
• Your sport or activity
• Training intensity
• Foot and ankle mechanics
• Footwear
• Previous injuries
• Strength and flexibility
• How quickly you need to return to activity
• Whether the problem keeps coming back

As a result, the treatment plan can address both the current injury and factors that may contribute to recurring symptoms.

The National Library of Medicine provides additional general information about sports injuries and their treatment.

Common Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries

Athletes can develop both acute injuries and overuse injuries.

An acute injury happens suddenly, such as when an ankle rolls during a basketball game.

In contrast, an overuse injury develops gradually when repeated stress does not allow enough time for the affected tissue to recover.

Our podiatrists evaluate many types of sports-related foot and ankle problems.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common sports injuries.

A sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments that stabilize the ankle stretch too far or tear.

An ankle may sprain when you:

• Land awkwardly after a jump
• Step on another player’s foot
• Roll the ankle while running
• Change direction quickly
• Step onto an uneven surface

Common symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty putting weight on the ankle.

Although many ankle sprains heal without surgery, proper treatment matters. A significant sprain can lead to lingering weakness or instability if the ankle does not recover adequately.

MedlinePlus provides additional information about ankle sprains and recovery.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture develops when repetitive loading places more stress on a bone than it can recover from.

These injuries often affect runners and athletes involved in repetitive jumping or impact activities.

Stress-fracture pain usually develops gradually. At first, you may notice pain only while exercising. However, as the injury progresses, the pain may begin sooner and continue during ordinary walking.

A sudden increase in:

• Running mileage
• Training intensity
• Practice frequency
• Walking distance
• Jumping or impact activity

may contribute to a bone stress injury.

Continuing to train through localized bone pain can make the injury worse.

Learn more about foot stress fractures from MedlinePlus, or visit our Foot Fracture page for information about fractures we treat.

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Runners and active adults frequently develop heel pain.

One common cause is plantar fasciitis, which involves irritation of the strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot.

Symptoms often include:

• Pain underneath the heel
• Pain during the first steps in the morning
• Heel pain after sitting
• Discomfort after prolonged standing
• Pain after running or exercise

Training changes, footwear, tight calf muscles and individual foot mechanics may contribute to symptoms.

Rather than repeatedly exercising through heel pain, consider having the cause evaluated.

Learn more on our Heel Pain Treatment page.

Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and plays an important role when you run, jump and push off the foot.

Athletes can develop Achilles problems gradually from repetitive stress or suddenly during explosive movement.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain behind the heel or ankle
• Tenderness along the tendon
• Stiffness after rest
• Swelling
• Pain while running
• Difficulty pushing off the foot

A sudden rupture can produce severe symptoms and should receive prompt medical attention.

Because Achilles tendon problems vary from irritation and degeneration to partial or complete tears, treatment depends on the specific injury.

Foot & Ankle Fractures

Sports can also cause acute fractures.

A player may fracture a foot or ankle after:

• Landing awkwardly
• Twisting the foot
• Colliding with another athlete
• Falling
• Sustaining a direct impact

Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty bearing weight can occur with both fractures and severe sprains. Therefore, symptoms alone do not always tell you which injury occurred.

An examination and imaging can help identify the problem.

Tendon Injuries

Several tendons help stabilize and move the foot and ankle.

Running, jumping and repetitive activity can irritate these tendons, while sudden force may cause more significant injuries.

Tendon pain often becomes worse with activity. In addition, patients may notice swelling, weakness or pain during a particular movement.

Because treatment differs depending on which tendon is involved, identifying the injured structure matters.

Forefoot Pain & Neuromas

Sports that repeatedly load the front of the foot can contribute to pain in the ball of the foot.

For example, some active patients develop Morton’s neuroma, which involves irritation and thickening around a nerve in the forefoot.

Symptoms may include:

• Burning in the ball of the foot
• Tingling or numbness in the toes
• Sharp forefoot pain
• The sensation that a pebble is inside the shoe

Footwear and repetitive forefoot pressure may contribute to symptoms.

Toenail Injuries & Ingrown Toenails

Athletes can also develop nail problems.

Running shoes, cleats and repeated impact may cause:

• Bruised toenails
• Loose toenails
• Nail trauma
• Ingrown toenails
• Pressure around the nail

An ingrown toenail develops when the nail edge presses into the surrounding skin. Pain, redness and swelling can follow.

Therefore, athletes should pay attention to shoe fit as well as shoe performance.

Sports Injuries in Children & Teen Athletes

Young athletes can experience many of the same foot and ankle injuries as adults. However, children and teens are still growing.

Consequently, certain injuries may involve developing bones and growth plates.

Common concerns include:

• Ankle sprains
• Heel pain
• Stress injuries
• Foot fractures
• Growth-plate injuries
• Tendon problems
• Repetitive overuse pain

Persistent pain should not automatically be dismissed as “growing pains.”

If a child begins limping, avoiding practice or repeatedly complaining about the same area of foot or ankle pain, an evaluation can help determine whether an injury is present.

Learn more about children’s foot and ankle care on our Pediatric Podiatry page.

Running Injuries & Overuse Problems

Running places repetitive loads through the feet and ankles.

Most runners tolerate these forces well. However, problems can develop when training demands increase faster than the body can adapt.

For example, a runner may develop pain after:

• Increasing mileage too quickly
• Adding speed work
• Changing running surfaces
• Starting hill training
• Returning after a long break
• Wearing worn-out shoes
• Training through an existing injury

Common running-related foot and ankle problems include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, ankle sprains and bone stress injuries.

Research reviews of running injuries similarly identify Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fascia problems, ankle sprains, bone stress injuries and neuromas among common foot-and-ankle concerns in runners.

Instead of simply treating the pain and sending you back to the same training pattern, sports-focused podiatric care can also consider the circumstances that contributed to the injury.

How Does a Sports Injury Podiatrist Diagnose the Problem?

Your appointment begins with the story of the injury.

Dr. Nelson or Dr. Nguyen may ask:

• When did the pain begin?
• Did one specific movement cause it?
• Did symptoms develop gradually?
• Which sport or activity do you participate in?
• Have you recently changed your training?
• Where does it hurt?
• What movements make the pain worse?
• Have you injured the same area before?
• What shoes or cleats do you wear?

Next, your podiatrist examines the foot and ankle.

Depending on the injury, the examination may include:

• Areas of tenderness
• Swelling
• Range of motion
• Strength
• Stability
• Foot structure
• Tendon function
• Ability to bear weight
• Walking or gait
• Circulation and sensation

If necessary, your podiatrist may recommend X-rays or another type of imaging.

An accurate diagnosis comes before the return-to-sports plan.

How Are Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries Treated?

Treatment depends on what was injured, how severe the injury is and what activities you want to return to.

Fortunately, many sports injuries improve with conservative treatment.

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:

Temporary Activity Modification

Sometimes the injured area needs a break from the activity that repeatedly stresses it.

However, modifying activity does not always mean complete inactivity.

When appropriate, your podiatrist can help determine which activities may remain safe while the injury heals.

Bracing or Immobilization

An ankle brace, walking boot, cast or other form of support may protect certain injuries while tissues recover.

For example, significant ankle sprains and some fractures may require temporary immobilization.

Supportive Footwear

The right shoe can influence comfort, pressure and stability.

Therefore, your podiatrist may discuss shoe fit, cushioning, support and whether your current athletic shoes remain appropriate for your activity.

Custom Orthotics

For selected patients, foot mechanics or pressure patterns may contribute to recurring symptoms.

In those cases, custom orthotics may help provide support or redistribute pressure.

However, orthotics do not prevent every sports injury and are not necessary for every athlete.

Learn more on our Custom Orthotics page.

Stretching & Rehabilitation

Some injuries benefit from stretching, strengthening and progressive rehabilitation.

These exercises can help restore motion, strength and stability before you return to full activity.

Medication or Other Treatments

Depending on the condition, your podiatrist may recommend medication, injections or other conservative treatment options.

Surgery

Most sports injuries do not require surgery.

However, certain fractures, tendon ruptures, severe ligament injuries or other structural problems may require surgical treatment.

When surgery becomes appropriate, your podiatrist will explain why it is being recommended and what recovery may involve.

Learn more about our Foot & Ankle Surgery services.

When Should an Athlete See a Podiatrist?

Muscle soreness after a difficult workout is one thing. Persistent or localized foot and ankle pain is another.

Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• Pain keeps returning during activity
• You cannot comfortably bear weight
• Significant swelling or bruising develops
• You experience localized pain over a bone
• An ankle repeatedly feels unstable
• Heel pain keeps returning
• Pain changes the way you walk or run
• You have difficulty pushing off the foot
• Symptoms are getting worse rather than better
• You cannot return to your normal activity level
• The same injury keeps happening

Additionally, stop playing and seek appropriate medical care if you experience a significant acute injury.

The National Library of Medicine recommends stopping activity after a sports injury because continuing to play can cause additional harm.

Getting Back to Sports Safely

For many active patients, the first question after an injury is:

“When can I play again?”

That answer depends on the injury.

Pain relief alone does not always mean the injured bone, ligament or tendon has completely healed.

Before returning to unrestricted activity, your podiatrist may consider:

• Pain level
• Swelling
• Strength
• Range of motion
• Stability
• Ability to walk or run normally
• Healing seen on imaging when applicable
• Demands of your specific sport

Returning too soon may prolong recovery or increase the chance of another injury.

Therefore, the goal is not simply to return quickly. The goal is to return safely and successfully.

Sports Injury Podiatrist in Garland, TX

Athletes and active patients looking for a sports injury podiatrist in Garland, Texas can schedule an appointment with Scott Nelson, DPM at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic.

Dr. Nelson treats sports-related foot and ankle problems ranging from heel pain and ankle sprains to stress fractures, tendon injuries and other conditions that interfere with activity.

He also provides both conservative and surgical foot and ankle care when necessary.

Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic of Garland
3930 Naaman School Road, Suite C
Garland, TX 75040
(972) 414-9800

Our Garland office is conveniently located near President George Bush Turnpike and the Firewheel area.

Visit our Garland podiatry office page for directions and additional office information.

Sports Injury Podiatrist in Wylie, TX

Patients looking for a sports injury podiatrist in Wylie, Texas can see Hang Nguyen, DPM at Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic.

Dr. Nguyen completed residency training in foot and ankle surgery at Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Texas. She treats both acute injuries and overuse conditions affecting the feet and ankles.

Whether you are dealing with a sports injury, stress fracture, ankle problem or recurring foot pain, Dr. Nguyen can evaluate the condition and develop a treatment plan based on your activity level and goals.

Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic of Wylie
2300 FM 544, Suite 230
Wylie, TX 75098
(972) 414-9800

Visit our Wylie podiatry office page for directions and additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries

What kind of doctor treats foot and ankle sports injuries?

Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions involving the feet and ankles, including many sports-related injuries such as ankle sprains, stress fractures, heel pain and tendon problems.

Should I see a podiatrist for an ankle sprain?

Yes, particularly when the ankle is very painful, significantly swollen, difficult to walk on, repeatedly gives way or does not improve as expected. A fracture and severe sprain can sometimes produce similar symptoms.

Can a podiatrist treat running injuries?

Yes. Podiatrists treat many running-related problems involving the feet and ankles, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, stress fractures, ankle injuries and forefoot pain.

What does a stress fracture feel like?

Stress-fracture pain often begins gradually in a specific area and becomes worse during activity. As the injury progresses, pain may continue during walking or even at rest.

Should I keep exercising if my foot hurts?

Persistent or worsening pain should not simply be trained through. Temporarily modifying the activity and getting an accurate diagnosis can help prevent a minor injury from becoming more serious.

Can custom orthotics prevent sports injuries?

Orthotics can help selected patients when foot mechanics or pressure patterns contribute to symptoms. However, they do not prevent every sports injury and are not necessary for every athlete.

How soon can I return to sports after a foot or ankle injury?

Return-to-sport timing depends on the injury, healing progress, strength, stability and demands of your activity. Your podiatrist can guide you based on your specific condition rather than relying on a fixed timeline.

Do sports injuries always require surgery?

No. Most common foot and ankle sports injuries can initially be treated without surgery. Surgical treatment may be necessary for certain severe fractures, tendon ruptures or other unstable injuries.

Get Back to the Activities You Enjoy

You do not need a professional uniform to care about getting back in the game.

Whether your goal is returning to competitive sports, running your next race, playing weekend tennis or simply exercising without foot or ankle pain, the first step is finding out what has been injured.

At Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic, Scott Nelson, DPM provides sports injury care at our Garland office, while Hang Nguyen, DPM treats active patients at our Wylie location.

Our podiatrists can diagnose the problem, recommend appropriate treatment and help guide your return to activity.

Call (972) 414-9800 or request an appointment online today.

Helpful Links

“Effects of Foot Orthoses on Pain and the Prevention of Lower Limb Injuries in Runners: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” — Neves MP et al. 2022, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation