What’s My Recovery Time?
If you’ve had to sit on the sidelines because of an injury, it won’t be a fun memory to relive the recovery time. At PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, treating an injury requires time and commitment. Rushing could delay the healing process. Whether you’re a sports fan or an athlete, you have probably heard of the two common sports injuries that we discuss below. Do you know how long each takes for recovery?
A recent article highlights the 10 most common sports injuries. A high ankle sprain and a torn Achilles tendon stood out for our team. In the post, we give a few more highlights from the article. We also share ways to prevent future sports injuries.
High ankle sprain
Is this your first time hearing about a high ankle sprain? If it’s a new term, you can start with what you know about more common ankle sprains. The starting treatment is the R.I.C.E. method, which focuses on rest, ice, compression, and elevation. With a high ankle sprain, the injury affects a different set of ligaments. In this situation, there is more pain, although there is less swelling and bruising. The recovery time can take as little as 4 to 6 weeks. Here’s one complication: some athletes complain of lingering discomfort.
Torn Achilles tendon
Here's a fun fact: the Achilles tendon is the longest and thickest in the body. If ruptured, the recovery time can take an average of 9 months. For some athletes, the injury can put them on the sidelines for the rest of their careers. The leading cause of this condition is when someone suddenly and forcefully stops, placing stress on the calf muscle. The Achilles tendon runs behind the leg as it connects the heel bone to the calf muscle.
Tips for prevention
We all want to avoid an injury or prevent a loved one from being hurt. Below are some helpful tips to consider.
Stretch before and after your game or practice
Speak to a podiatrist about any concerns while watching for changes
Stop what you are doing if you feel pain and schedule an appointment
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.