The feet and ankles are some of the most often injured areas of the body. Here are the 4 most common foot & ankle injuries:
- Overuse Injuries. These are very common among athletes who put excessive strain on their feet & ankles on a regular basis through activities such as long distance running and weight training. Common overuse injuries include stress fractures and torn muscles/tendons.
- Shin Splints. This injury is characterized by pain in the front of the shin bone. Often a result of stress fractures, shin splints can be caused by shoes that fit poorly, excessive athletic training, or distance running on hard surfaces.
- Ankle Sprains. Some of the most common injuries among athletes. The outer ankle is not as stable as the inner ankle. As a result, it’s very easy for the ankle to roll, tearing ligaments in the process.
- Achilles Tendon Injuries. The Achilles Tendon is the strongest tendon in the body, stretching from the heel to the muscles in the lower leg. The tendon is most often strained or ruptured in sports that require the calf muscles to tighten (e.g. basketball). Achilles Tendon injuries can build up over years of activity, or they can come on very suddenly from a direct blow to the foot or leg.