Rosemont, Ill., Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Football is among the hottest sports activities in the United States, however the excessive velocity and influence can put gamers in danger for foot and ankle accidents. As soccer season will get underway, foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons focus on the commonest accidents which may occur on the sector, therapy, and prevention ideas.
- Lateral Ankle Sprain
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons, J. Chris Coetzee, MD, from Twin Cities Orthopedics in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Kirk A. McCullough, MD, from Kansas City Orthopedic Institute in Leawood, Kansas, agree that lateral ankle sprains are the commonest accidents they see throughout soccer season. This kind of ankle sprain is usually attributable to “rolling the ankle” inward and tearing the outer ligaments. The participant will immediately really feel ache, tenderness, and swelling on the skin of the ankle.
As Dr. Coetzee explains, lateral ankle accidents are graded on a scale from 1 to 3. Grade 1 is a light sprain the place the participant may miss one or two performs and then return on the sector with out points. With a Grade 2 sprain, the participant will doubtless come out for half or many of the recreation, and the ankle shall be taped or braced for further help. Grade 3 is a whole ligament disruption that outcomes in a forged or boot for 7-10 days, adopted by supervised rehabilitation.
(*3*)excessive ankle sprain,” happens when high impact or rotational stress is placed on the ligaments of the ankle/lower leg that connect the tibia to the fibula. The player will feel the pain just above the level of the ankle. Sometimes, there is an associated fracture around the ankle.
This type of injury typically takes longer to heal than a traditional sprain, around 6-8 weeks, but Dr. McCullough notes that proper diagnosis and treatment may get players back on the field more efficiently and effectively.
“Early diagnosis, detection of clinically subtle yet functional instability/injury with arthroscopy, and more frequent operative use of dynamic stabilization devices when appropriate have significantly improved the opportunity for recovery and enabled players to return to sport earlier,” he says.
- Lisfranc Injury
A Lisfranc injury involves the joints and/or the ligaments of the middle of the foot. Dr. Coetzee explains this injury can range from mild to severe and a proper diagnosis from a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon is key to healing properly.
Recovery from Lisfranc injury depends on the severity. If the ligaments and the bones in the middle of the foot are not severely injured or shifted, non-surgical treatment such as a cast for six weeks and physical therapy can be successful. If the bones or ligaments are shifted or injured, Lisfranc surgery may be necessary.
Other common football injuries that have potential to be season-ending are Jones fractures, Achilles tendon ruptures, and forefoot overload injuries (e.g., turf toe, sesamoid injuries). To prevent injuries, Drs. Coetzee and McCullough stress the importance of wearing cleats that fit properly and are not too narrow or too flexible, as well as arriving at training camp in top physical condition to get ready for the season.
To learn more about foot and ankle injuries, visit FootCareMD.
About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.
About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.
