Football Injuries Continue To Mount Up as Teams Look Toward Playoffs
If you are still playing fantasy football, you have got to be frustrated at the mounting list of injured players. Many of them have suffered foot and ankle injuries in this rough contact sport.
In these last crucial games before playoffs start, many teams regret the loss of players due to foot injuries: Titans’ Marcus Mariota, Bengals’ Malik Jefferson, Jaguars’ Leonard Fournette and Colts’ Al Woods. Panthers’ Greg Olsen, whose ruptured plantar fascia injury we recently reported, is expected to make a full recovery due to successful surgery but certainly is out for the season.
The biggest football injury story is that of Dolphins’ running back Frank Gore, who sprained his foot and is now wearing a walking boot. This incredible athlete hadn’t missed a game since 2010! That’s 122 consecutive games which, at the age of 35, is really remarkable.
Common Football Injuries
Football is a demanding sport that requires running and side-to-side cutting. Players often experience direct trauma such as when tacked by another player.
Your feet are strong enough to bear your weight while walking, standing and running. Yet they are vulnerable to injury too. There are 26 bones in each of your feet, totaling one-quarter of the body’s bones. Your feet also have 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments – all of which are prone to damage in an injury.
Common football foot and ankle injuries include:
Fractures
Sprains
Lisfranc fractures
Turf toe
Bone bruises and contusions
Achilles tendonitis
Stress fractures
Sesamoiditis
How To Reduce the Risk of Sports Injuries
You can reduce your chances of being injured while playing football and other sports:
Always warm up prior to any workout with a slow jog and light stretch.
Build up muscle strength and mobility slowly with gradually increasing your activities and cross-training.
Wear athletic shoes specifically for your sport and foot type.
Replace shoes every six months or when the tread or heels wear down.
Avoid running or walking on uneven surfaces or hard tracks like concrete.
Go for training. Get expert instruction on your sport of choice.
Listen to your body and if you have any pain, stop the activity.
Most importantly, contact us for any persistent foot or ankle pain. We are the experts and we are here to help!
Please Come See Us If You Have Any Foot or Ankle Pain
The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices conveniently located in Enfield, Windsor and South Windsor, CT.