The feet and ankles are among the parts of your body most vulnerable to athletic injuries. Every time your feet hit the ground during a sprint, or land after a jump, they absorb and dissipate impact forces equivalent to several times your body weight, in a split second.

Over time, the accumulative effect of this repetitive impact can lead to overuse injuries like heel pain, stress fractures, capsulitis, or shin splints. In other cases, you might suffer a traumatic acute injury like an ankle sprain or Achilles tendon rupture.

Either way, prompt and professional treatment is recommended to repair the damage and rehabilitate the injury as quickly and safely as possible. Faithfully following your doctor’s treatment plan will greatly reduce your risk of reinjury and prevent long-term complications.

Dr. Thomas J. Bobrowski of InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry specializes in podiatric sports medicine for patients of all ages and levels of athletic activity. Whether you are a student-athlete, weekend warrior, active retiree, or a professional, our team can help.

Common Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries

Some of the most common foot and ankle sports injuries we treat at InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry include:

Any acute or chronic pain that develops as a result of or a consequence of physical activity should be professionally examined.

It is important to understand that overuse injuries such as heel pain or tendon soreness can be just as debilitating for your long-term health as acute injuries like sprains.  Continual aggravation of damaged tissues will lead to a degenerative process, which weakens the structure.  The symptoms become more severe and susceptible to a rupture. For example, even a minor case of Achilles tendinitis, left untreated, can eventually lead to a weakening and rupture.

Do not try to “walk-off” a painful injury.  The motto “no pain no gain” will only complicate your condition and prolong your recovery.

Sports Injury Treatment at InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry

Treating sports-related injuries has always been a passion for Dr. Bobrowski. He first developed his interest in podiatric sports medicine while running cross-country and track for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The entire team at InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry is dedicated to getting you back to your sport as quickly as possible and keeping your feet healthy so you can continue your active lifestyle.

We will perform a thorough physical examination to assess the nature and severity of your injury. Our office is equipped with a digital X-ray to check for any damage to bones.

We will also ask you about your symptoms, their duration, what sports you play, what type of shoes or cleats you wear, your typical conditioning or exercise routines, and other factors that may be relevant to your injury.  All this information assists in making an accurate diagnosis and building a personalized treatment plan that will best suit your needs.

Depending on your injury and goals, treatment options may include (but are not limited to):

  • Cold and/or heat therapy
  • Cortisone injection
  • Physical therapy
  • Custom orthotics
  • Changing your athletic shoes
  • Modifying your training routine
  • Immobilization
  • Surgery

Discipline Is the Key to Success

One of the most difficult challenges an active individual faces during the treatment process is simply having the discipline to follow through with their treatment plan.

The challenge is to resist the temptation to return to your previous activities ahead of schedule or “cheat” on your rehabilitation, especially if you experience significant improvements with the initial treatment. Unfortunately, this often results in a setback that delays your recovery and return to your sport.

When we put together a treatment plan for a sports injury, we do so with the specific needs of the individual in mind, as well as many years of advanced training and experience. Although it may occasionally be frustrating to miss a few games, take a temporary break from the activities you enjoy, or perform your rehab exercises daily, they are an important part of ensuring a full and quick recovery.

Failing to follow specific treatment guidelines in most cases will only lead to a longer recovery, more pain, and a greater risk of chronic problems.

Do not continue to nurse a nagging sports injury. Instead, please contact Dr. Thomas J. Bobrowski and the team at InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry today. You can reach our office in New Bern at (252) 638-4700, or online by completing our contact form.