What are sports injuries?
Sports injuries occur during physical activities, including running, lifting weights, or swimming. Anyone can experience a sports injury, but there are several factors that may increase your risk, such as not warming up before exercise, not wearing the necessary safety equipment, and playing contact sports.
If you experience a sports injury and it results in uncomfortable symptoms that affect your feet or ankles, make an appointment with Dr. Knutson right away.
What are some common sports injuries?
Dr. Knutson treats sports injuries that affect the feet and ankles, including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Swollen muscles
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Fractures
- Plantar fasciitis
You might also benefit from treatment if you experience a dislocated joint.
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose a sports injury, Dr. Knutson asks about the event, including what you were doing, how the injury occurred, and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Next, he conducts a comprehensive exam. Dr. Knutson carefully looks at your feet, assessing their tops, bottoms, and sides for signs of swelling, bruising, or inflammation.
He also tests your reflexes, muscle strength, and range of motion and asks you to walk around the exam room to observe your gait. Lastly, Dr. Knutson orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI, to rule out conditions invisible to the eye.
After pinpointing the source of your symptoms, Dr. Knutson develops a custom treatment plan that relieves your symptoms and restores your mobility.
How are sports injuries treated?
Treatment of a sports injury depends on various factors, including the location of the injury and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Knutson typically recommends conservative, minimally invasive treatments, like:
- Ice
- Rest
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Custom orthotics
- Activity modification
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
- Corticosteroid injections
If your injury doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, Dr. Knutson might recommend surgery. As a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Knutson specializes in various types of surgery, including traditional techniques and modern minimally invasive procedures.
Is there any way to prevent sports injuries?
There’s no way to prevent sports injuries entirely, but you can take preventive action to significantly reduce your risk. Dr. Knutson recommends:
- Using the proper technique
- Wearing the necessary safety equipment
- Warming up before exercise
- Cooling down after exercise
- Not overdoing it
If you’re just getting back into exercise, take your time. It’s much better to go slow and easy than it is to rush and experience an injury.
To explore the various treatment options for sports injuries, make an appointment at Willamette Foot & Ankle by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling feature today.
