What Kind Of Doctor Should I See for My Sports Injury?

Unfortunately, sports injuries are a common issue for athletes, and sports injuries involving feet and ankles are even more common. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 25% of athletic injuries are foot and ankle-related. As an athlete, your ankles and feet are often overworked and vulnerable to injury. If you play sports, then your feet are a critical part of being active. If you suffer a sports injury to your feet or ankles, you might need to see a podiatrist. It is important to see a specialist for sports injuries. In this article, we will tell you if you should see a podiatrist for your sports injury, the differences between a podiatrist vs. orthopedist, and everything else you need to know about sports medicine podiatry. 

Should I See a Podiatrist for My Sports Injury?

Whether you are a professional athlete or a beer-league softball player, it is important to take any sports injury you suffer seriously. You might be wondering, should I see a podiatrist for my sports injury? If you are experiencing a sports injury to your foot or ankle, there is a chance it will heal by itself. However, most severe foot or ankle injuries caused by sports should be seen by a podiatrist. This is especially true if you are an athlete who is hoping to regain the use of your feet or ankles after your injury and make a full recovery, so you can get back to playing the sports you love. 

Reasons to See a Podiatrist for Your Sports Injury

Here are a few reasons you should see a podiatrist for your sports injury if you: 

• Experience severe pain or swelling in your feet, ankles, or lower legs 
• Are unable to put weight on the injured area 
• Notice a difference in your foot or ankle structure
• Heard a popping or snapping noise when your injury occurred 
• Feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in your foot or ankle
• Are unsure if you need surgery for your foot injury

What is a Sports Podiatrist? 

A sports podiatrist is much more than just a foot doctor who is familiar with sports. Sports podiatrists are highly trained specialists who understand the nuances of sports injuries. The goal of a sports podiatrist is to keep you mobile. A sports podiatrist has the skills necessary to help you treat your sports injury and even offer prevention methods to help the injury from occurring again. 

When to See a Sports Podiatrist: Common Sports Injuries 

There are several common sports injuries that mean can mean it’s time to see a sports podiatrist: 

Achilles Tendonitis

One common sports injury that can cause you to see a sports podiatrist is Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis occurs due to repetitive strain or overuse and causes pain at the back of the ankle. 

Plantar Fasciitis 

Runners, joggers, and other athletes regularly suffer from plantar fasciitis. This condition causes pain on the heel and down the side of your foot. 

Shin Splints

If you have pain running down the front of your leg next to your tibia, you might have shin splints. Shin splints typically occur after hard exercise, sports, and other repetitive activities. These types of workouts can lead to inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and thin layers of tissue covering the shin bones, ultimately causing pain. 

Sprained Ankles 

Have you suffered a sprained or broken ankle? According to a study titled “Epidemiological study of foot and ankle injuries in recreational sports,” a sprained ankle is the most frequent type of injury that occurs in the foot and ankle as a result of recreational sports practice. 

Dislocated or Fractured Bones

There are other bones in your foot and ankle that can be fractured or dislocated. A dislocation occurs when two bones slip out of place at the joint that connects them. It can occur during sports during a sudden impact from a fall or another type of blow. Podiatrists specialize in treating dislocated or fractured bones in athletes. 

Tendon or Ligaments Tears or Strains

If you stress your leg without stretching properly, you might suffer from tendon or ligament tears and strains. These injuries can cause severe pain and instability. 

Toenail Injuries

A toenail injury can cause pressure on your nail and moderate to severe pain in your toe. Toenail injuries often occur during sports like soccer, football, and basketball. Podiatrists specialize in treating toenail injuries in athletes. 

Podiatrist vs Orthopedist: Which Should I See For My Sports Injury? 

If you have suffered a sports injury, you might be wondering if you should make an appointment to see a podiatrist or an orthopedist. There are some important differences to note between podiatrists vs. orthopedists. 

What is a Podiatrist?

Unlike an orthopedist, a podiatrist is a foot care specialist. Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. 

What is an Orthopedist?

On the other hand, orthopedists focus on injuries and diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. 

Though orthopedists technically have studied foot and ankle issues, a podiatrist specializes in treating these injuries. This specialization by podiatrists allows them to better address the issues that are unique to your foot and ankle. 

Sports Medicine Podiatry Treatment Options

Some treatment options your podiatrist might recommend for your sports injury include: 

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

See a Podiatrist for Your Sports Injury at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois

Now, you know the answer to “should I see a podiatrist for my sports injury?” If you experience a sports injury that affects your foot or ankle, don’t wait. See your local podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois today. Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois treat a number of sports injuries. We are sports podiatrists who have experience treating a number of injuries caused by sports. Our team will get you back on your feet and back on the field, on the court, and back in the game. We are the first choice for excellence in foot and ankle care. Call us today to talk to a new patient coordinator!