If you play sports, you are likely to experience a sports injury at some point. Your ankles, feet, and toes are especially vulnerable. Fortunately, your podiatrist can help you heal from a sports injury, so you can get back on your feet. Dr. Jeffrey Agricola at Prestige Podiatry in Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, provides comprehensive podiatry services, including diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries.

Sports injuries can range from mild to severe. For mild injuries like bruising and swelling, you can try:

• Applying ice for 15 minutes several times each day to reduce swelling
• Elevating and resting the area to relieve stress
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication to reduce pain and swelling

Moderate to severe sports injuries affecting your ankles, feet, and toes require the expert skills of your podiatrist. You should visit your podiatrist if you:

• Have severe pain or swelling
• Can’t put weight on the injured area
• See differences in your foot or ankle structure
• Heard popping or snapping when you injured yourself
• Feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in your foot or ankle

Your podiatrist is an expert at treating these sports injuries:

Plantar fasciitis, which causes pain on your heel and down the side of your foot; runners and joggers often have this injury.

Shin splints, which causes pain running down the front of your leg, next to the tibia; leg stress without proper stretching can cause shin splints.

Dislocated or fractured bones, which cause swelling, bruising, severe pain and loss of function; impact sports like soccer and football can cause this injury.

Tendon or ligament tears or strain, which causes severe pain and instability; leg stress without proper stretching can cause this injury.

Toenail injuries, which causes pressure under your toenail and moderate to severe toe pain; impact sports like soccer, football, and basketball can cause this injury.

Depending on the type of injury, your podiatrist may recommend:

• Orthotics for plantar fasciitis and other conditions
• Prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain
• Assistive devices like casts and crutches to take the weight off your injury
• Surgical treatment to realign fractured or broken bones
• Physical therapy to help you regain mobility and strength

How You Can Find Out More About Common Sports Injuries Your Podiatrist Treats

If you have experienced a sports injury, your podiatrist can help you recover more quickly, with less pain. Start on the road to healing by calling Dr. Jeffrey Agricola of Prestige Podiatry in Indianapolis and Carmel, IN today. Call (317) 881-0070 for the office in Indianapolis, IN, and (317) 846-4111 for the office in Carmel, IN.