Take Care of Your Feet and Ankles

A North Texas foot and ankle surgeon advises athletes: Don’t play with foot pain and that athletes and parents should monitor seemingly ‘normal’ foot and ankle pain.

As each sports season reached its conclusion, many adult, adolescent, and child athletes were playing with seemingly normal but persistent foot pain that could be a sign of a more serious injury, according to Damien M Dauphinée, podiatric foot and ankle surgeon and a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

“Playing with pain often is viewed as a badge of honor among athletes, but they must be aware that the persistent pain they dismiss as normal exercise-related stress could be something far more serious,” said Dr Dauphinée who advises athletes of all ages to consult with visit their podiatric surgeon regarding any foot pain. The pain may be due to overuse injuries from repetitive loading of the foot and ankle during running and aerobics. “When athletes overdo their workouts, it may be normal to experience some temporary discomfort,” says Dr Dauphinée. “But if pain continues longer than a few days with continued redness, warmth or swelling, the athlete should see a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon for proper diagnosis and advice on treatment options.”

Athletes who ignore persistent foot pain and inflammation, and continue to train, risk potential complications that could sideline them for months. Among possible injuries associated with persistent foot and ankle pain are stress fractures, muscle strains, tendinitis and subtle fractures after inversion ankle sprains. “Stress fractures sometimes aren’t debilitating and some athletes might continue their normal training despite the injury,” according to Dr Dauphinée. “But continual rigorous activity can worsen the problem. An examination and diagnosis by a foot and ankle specialist can determine whether the pain is from overuse or subtle trauma, requiring only a few days of rest, or something that may require surgical intervention.”

Heel pain in children often is caused by injuries to the growth plate and secondary growth centers in which tendons pull at the top and bottom of the growth plate of the heel. Boys and girls, ages 8 to 14, are susceptible to this problem, and its major symptom is pain on either side of the heel. Dr Dauphinee explains that “Growth-plate trauma is common in soccer and other sports that involve a lot of running. Parents should make sure that their children stretch before playing and apply ice to the back of the heel after the game or practice. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe inserts (orthotics) or lifts are recommended, but the potential for recurrent injury exists until the growth plate closes.”.

Foot and ankle surgeons provide many forms of treatment to keep children pain free and participating in athletic activities. When treating athletes of any age, several factors will be evaluated that could be the underlying cause of foot pain. Included is consideration of the running or playing surfaces because athletes who train on asphalt or cement are more prone to stress injuries than those who run on cushioned tracks or natural grass fields.

Footwear should be appropriate for the sport and match the biomechanics of the individual’s foot. For example, those who engage in one sport more than three times a week should wear athletic shoes designed for the sport, and shoe technology has advanced to allow for variances in foot characteristics that require stability or cushioning or even a combination of the two.

Injuries often result when athletes fail to train to build up to a desired goal. Accordingly, a runner shouldn’t set a goal of 20 miles a week without gradually progressing to that goal. In children, overuse injuries sometimes occur from excessive parental pressure to achieve in sports making behavioral factors a consideration. And nutrition is important for stress fractures can occur in athletes with poor nutritional habits.

Sleeping problems and resultant irritability and fatigue are common among some athletes who exercise aggressively, or over-train. And there are physical characteristics such as variations in bone structure and muscle development evidenced in individuals who are bowlegged or have mal-alignment problems.