Sports Medicine
Comprehensive Sports Medicine Care in Fredericksburg, VA
Sports injuries can disrupt your active lifestyle, but at Spotsylvania Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we’re here to help. Our expert podiatrists provide sports injury treatment. We offer same-day appointments to expedite your recovery. Contact our Fredericksburg, Virginia office or schedule an appointment online to explore our sports medicine services.
Quick Facts About Sports Medicine
Sports medicine is not just for elite athletes; it encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries associated with all levels of physical activity.
Specialty areas within sports medicine include nutrition, strength and conditioning, injury rehabilitation and exercise physiology.
Multimodal treatments such as manual therapy, taping techniques, exercises and activity modification are used to allow a quicker recovery from sports-related injuries.
Sports Medicine
Q & A
What is sports medicine?
In podiatry, sports medicine focuses on injuries that affect the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Sports medicine specialists help prevent, treat, and manage foot and ankle injuries. Sports medicine restores function to injured feet and ankles. It also raises your athletic performance by improving your gait (how you walk) and foot strike (how you step).
What injuries can sports medicine treat?
The foot and ankle surgeons at Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates treat a wide range of sports injuries, including:
Achilles tendinitis
The Achilles tendon runs from the back of the heel through the calf. Activities that add stress to the tendon, like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and long-distance running, can cause tiny tears and inflammation.
Achilles tendon rupture
Without treatment, Achilles tendinitis can rupture the tendon. A rupture is a partial or complete tear that requires surgery.
Ankle sprain
When the ligaments that support and stabilize the ankle joint stretch too far, too quickly, a sprain occurs. Sprains range from mild to severe and substantially affect your mobility. A significant sprain can even interfere with your ability to bear weight on your ankle. Treating an ankle sprain as early as possible helps prevent complications from repeated sprains.
Stress fracture
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone that develops from repetitive pressure on the foot. Stress fractures in the feet can be significant sources of pain and discomfort.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue that stretches from your heel to your toes becomes inflamed and stiff.
Turf toe
Turf toe is a sprain surrounding the primary joint in the big toe. It happens when the toe bends upward too quickly. Football, basketball, soccer, and other sports that require running can increase your risk of developing turf toe.
How are injuries diagnosed in sports medicine?
Diagnosing a sports injury requires a complete physical exam in which your doctor evaluates your gait, movement, and foot function. Your provider will also order X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound to investigate the source of your pain further.
What are the most common treatments in sports medicine?
How your doctor at Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates treats your sports injury will depend on the cause. The most common sports medicine treatments they provide include:
- 3D scanned custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
- Shoe changes
- Night splints
- Physical therapy
- Nutrition counseling
- Kinesiology taping
- Bracing and immobilization
- Minimally invasive surgery
Call Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about sports medicine for the foot and ankle.